Russell Investments Group Ltd. Boosts Holdings in TransUnion (NYSE:TRU)

Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its holdings in TransUnion (NYSE:TRU - Free Report) by 42.9% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 304,529 shares of the business services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 91,492 shares during the quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. owned about 0.16% of TransUnion worth $28,233,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its holdings in TransUnion by 82.1% in the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 428 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 193 shares during the last quarter. Huntington National Bank lifted its holdings in shares of TransUnion by 58.7% during the fourth quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 454 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 168 shares in the last quarter. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in shares of TransUnion during the fourth quarter valued at $44,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. bought a new stake in TransUnion in the 4th quarter worth about $47,000. Finally, Mizuho Bank Ltd. purchased a new position in TransUnion in the 4th quarter worth about $47,000.

TransUnion Trading Up 2.7 %

Shares of NYSE:TRU traded up $1.96 during trading on Monday, reaching $74.40. The company's stock had a trading volume of 429,294 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,979,120. The company has a current ratio of 1.70, a quick ratio of 1.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18. TransUnion has a 12 month low of $66.07 and a 12 month high of $113.17. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.52 billion, a PE ratio of 50.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.67. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $86.71 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $94.95.

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TransUnion (NYSE:TRU - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 13th. The business services provider reported $0.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.97 by ($0.14). TransUnion had a return on equity of 15.85% and a net margin of 6.80%. The firm had revenue of $1.04 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.03 billion. On average, research analysts predict that TransUnion will post 3.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

TransUnion Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 14th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 27th were given a dividend of $0.115 per share. This represents a $0.46 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.62%. This is an increase from TransUnion's previous quarterly dividend of $0.11. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 27th. TransUnion's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 31.51%.

TransUnion declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback program on Thursday, February 13th that allows the company to buyback $500.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the business services provider to repurchase up to 2.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are generally an indication that the company's board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a "hold" rating on shares of TransUnion in a research report on Friday, February 14th. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of TransUnion from $102.00 to $104.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price objective on shares of TransUnion from $125.00 to $115.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 15th. Oppenheimer reduced their price target on TransUnion from $115.00 to $112.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. Finally, Bank of America began coverage on shares of TransUnion in a report on Thursday. They set an "underperform" rating and a $84.00 price target on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $111.23.

Insider Activity

In other TransUnion news, insider Steven M. Chaouki sold 1,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.95, for a total value of $95,950.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 58,488 shares in the company, valued at $5,611,923.60. This represents a 1.68 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Venkat Achanta sold 1,821 shares of TransUnion stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.74, for a total transaction of $174,342.54. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 105,443 shares of the company's stock, valued at $10,095,112.82. This represents a 1.70 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 4,021 shares of company stock valued at $372,751. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

TransUnion Company Profile

TransUnion operates as a global consumer credit reporting agency that provides risk and information solutions. The company operates through U.S. Markets, International, and Consumer Interactive segments. The U.S. Markets segment provides consumer reports, actionable insights, and analytic services to businesses, which uses its services to acquire new customers; assess consumer ability to pay for services; identify cross-selling opportunities; measure and manage debt portfolio risk; collect debt; verify consumer identities; and mitigate fraud risk.