Townsend & Associates Inc Has $13.57 Million Holdings in BHP Group Limited (NYSE:BHP)

Townsend & Associates Inc grew its position in shares of BHP Group Limited (NYSE:BHP - Free Report) by 3.5% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 270,655 shares of the mining company's stock after purchasing an additional 9,065 shares during the period. Townsend & Associates Inc's holdings in BHP Group were worth $13,565,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its stake in shares of BHP Group by 11.1% during the third quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 10,839 shares of the mining company's stock valued at $673,000 after acquiring an additional 1,087 shares in the last quarter. Eastern Bank acquired a new position in shares of BHP Group during the third quarter valued at $26,000. Cromwell Holdings LLC grew its position in BHP Group by 5.7% in the 3rd quarter. Cromwell Holdings LLC now owns 5,530 shares of the mining company's stock worth $343,000 after purchasing an additional 298 shares during the last quarter. Burford Brothers Inc. increased its position in BHP Group by 19.5% in the 3rd quarter. Burford Brothers Inc. now owns 9,585 shares of the mining company's stock valued at $595,000 after acquiring an additional 1,567 shares during the period. Finally, Pathway Financial Advisers LLC lifted its holdings in BHP Group by 5,577.6% in the third quarter. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC now owns 263,666 shares of the mining company's stock worth $16,376,000 after purchasing an additional 259,022 shares during the period. 3.79% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on BHP shares. StockNews.com lowered shares of BHP Group from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 19th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price target on BHP Group from $57.00 to $53.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $53.00.

BHP Group Stock Performance

NYSE BHP traded down $0.51 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $50.20. 2,245,227 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,414,741. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a current ratio of 1.70. BHP Group Limited has a twelve month low of $48.06 and a twelve month high of $63.21. The business's 50-day moving average is $49.80 and its 200-day moving average is $53.11.

BHP Group Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 7th will be issued a dividend of $1.00 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 7th. This represents a dividend yield of 4.8%.

About BHP Group

BHP Group Limited operates as a resources company in Australia, Europe, China, Japan, India, South Korea, the rest of Asia, North America, South America, and internationally. The company operates through Copper, Iron Ore, and Coal segments. It engages in the mining of copper, uranium, gold, zinc, lead, molybdenum, silver, iron ore, cobalt, and metallurgical and energy coal.