Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK) VP Sells $82,620.27 in Stock

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK - Get Free Report) VP Scott Genereux sold 279 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $296.13, for a total value of $82,620.27. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 2,891 shares in the company, valued at approximately $856,111.83. This trade represents a 8.80 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website.

Rockwell Automation Stock Performance

Shares of Rockwell Automation stock traded down $1.72 on Friday, hitting $295.38. The stock had a trading volume of 652,495 shares, compared to its average volume of 889,858. Rockwell Automation, Inc. has a 52-week low of $242.81 and a 52-week high of $312.76. The company has a current ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70. The stock has a market cap of $33.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.67, a P/E/G ratio of 3.03 and a beta of 1.36. The company's 50 day moving average price is $277.18 and its 200 day moving average price is $268.69.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 7th. The industrial products company reported $2.47 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.40 by $0.07. Rockwell Automation had a return on equity of 30.42% and a net margin of 11.53%. The business had revenue of $2.04 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.06 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $3.64 EPS. The business's quarterly revenue was down 20.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that Rockwell Automation, Inc. will post 9.44 EPS for the current year.

Rockwell Automation Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 10th. Investors of record on Monday, November 18th will be given a $1.31 dividend. This represents a $5.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.77%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 18th. This is a boost from Rockwell Automation's previous quarterly dividend of $1.25. Rockwell Automation's payout ratio is 63.29%.

Rockwell Automation declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback plan on Thursday, September 5th that authorizes the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the industrial products company to buy up to 3.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are generally a sign that the company's leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Rockwell Automation

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new position in Rockwell Automation during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Richardson Financial Services Inc. increased its position in Rockwell Automation by 100.0% during the 3rd quarter. Richardson Financial Services Inc. now owns 96 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 48 shares during the period. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Rockwell Automation during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $34,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new position in Rockwell Automation during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $36,000. Finally, Cultivar Capital Inc. acquired a new position in Rockwell Automation during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $46,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.75% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ROK has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Robert W. Baird increased their target price on Rockwell Automation from $290.00 to $305.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, November 26th. TD Cowen lowered their price objective on Rockwell Automation from $220.00 to $215.00 and set a "sell" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Rockwell Automation from $293.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, October 7th. UBS Group started coverage on Rockwell Automation in a report on Wednesday, November 13th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $313.00 target price for the company. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on Rockwell Automation from $245.00 to $227.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, August 12th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Rockwell Automation has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $289.47.

About Rockwell Automation

Rockwell Automation, Inc provides industrial automation and digital transformation solutions in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company operates through three segments, Intelligent Devices, Software & Control, and Lifecycle Services. Its solutions include hardware and software products and services.

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