Chemed (NYSE:CHE) Upgraded to Buy at StockNews.com

StockNews.com upgraded shares of Chemed (NYSE:CHE - Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note released on Friday.

Chemed Stock Performance

Shares of Chemed stock traded up $1.51 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $595.86. 124,996 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 99,602. The company has a market cap of $8.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 0.43. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $552.41 and its 200 day simple moving average is $563.97. Chemed has a 52 week low of $512.12 and a 52 week high of $654.62.

Chemed Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 14th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 24th will be issued a dividend of $0.50 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 24th. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.34%. Chemed's dividend payout ratio is currently 10.05%.

Insider Activity

In related news, VP Brian C. Judkins acquired 145 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 30th. The shares were bought at an average price of $519.50 per share, for a total transaction of $75,327.50. Following the acquisition, the vice president now owns 1,678 shares in the company, valued at $871,721. This trade represents a 9.46 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Kevin J. Mcnamara sold 2,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $593.67, for a total transaction of $1,187,340.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 102,679 shares in the company, valued at approximately $60,957,441.93. The trade was a 1.91 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 3.32% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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Institutional Trading of Chemed

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Chemed by 78.0% during the 3rd quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 3,730 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,246,000 after acquiring an additional 1,634 shares in the last quarter. XTX Topco Ltd raised its stake in shares of Chemed by 111.5% in the third quarter. XTX Topco Ltd now owns 2,843 shares of the company's stock worth $1,709,000 after acquiring an additional 1,499 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Chemed by 4.9% in the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 335,443 shares of the company's stock worth $201,820,000 after acquiring an additional 15,791 shares during the last quarter. Signal Advisors Wealth LLC raised its stake in shares of Chemed by 60.7% in the fourth quarter. Signal Advisors Wealth LLC now owns 4,995 shares of the company's stock worth $2,647,000 after acquiring an additional 1,886 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Chemed by 8.1% during the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 122,788 shares of the company's stock worth $73,792,000 after buying an additional 9,178 shares during the last quarter. 95.85% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Chemed Company Profile

Chemed Corporation provides hospice and palliative care services to patients through a network of physicians, registered nurses, home health aides, social workers, clergy, and volunteers primarily in the United States. The company operates in VITAS and Roto-Rooter segments. It offers plumbing, drain cleaning, excavation, water restoration, and other related services to residential and commercial customers through company-owned branches, independent contractors, and franchisees.