Trexquant Investment LP Takes Position in The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX)

Trexquant Investment LP bought a new position in shares of The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund bought 49,593 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $8,054,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Brooklyn Investment Group boosted its position in shares of Clorox by 163.8% in the 4th quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 153 shares of the company's stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 95 shares in the last quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC grew its holdings in Clorox by 300.0% in the third quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC now owns 184 shares of the company's stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 138 shares during the period. Millstone Evans Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Clorox during the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. Asset Planning Inc purchased a new stake in Clorox during the fourth quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Clorox during the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.53% of the company's stock.

Clorox Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:CLX traded up $3.44 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $139.84. 1,888,622 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,292,542. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.52, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.60. The company has a 50 day moving average of $147.91 and a 200-day moving average of $157.56. The Clorox Company has a 12 month low of $127.60 and a 12 month high of $171.37. The stock has a market capitalization of $17.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.61.

Clorox (NYSE:CLX - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 3rd. The company reported $1.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.39 by $0.16. Clorox had a return on equity of 316.87% and a net margin of 6.38%. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.16 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that The Clorox Company will post 7.15 EPS for the current year.

Clorox Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 9th. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 23rd will be issued a $1.22 dividend. This represents a $4.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.49%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 23rd. Clorox's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 133.33%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. StockNews.com cut shares of Clorox from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Sunday, January 5th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Clorox from $161.00 to $155.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. DA Davidson lowered their price target on Clorox from $171.00 to $169.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 5th. Royal Bank of Canada restated a "sector perform" rating and set a $150.00 price objective on shares of Clorox in a research note on Thursday, January 30th. Finally, Barclays lowered their target price on Clorox from $140.00 to $139.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, March 27th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $159.00.

Clorox Company Profile

The Clorox Company manufactures and markets consumer and professional products worldwide. It operates through four segments: Health and Wellness, Household, Lifestyle, and International. The Health and Wellness segment offers cleaning products, such as laundry additives and home care products primarily under the Clorox, Clorox2, Scentiva, Pine-Sol, Liquid-Plumr, Tilex, and Formula 409 brands; professional cleaning and disinfecting products under the CloroxPro and Clorox Healthcare brands; professional food service products under the Hidden Valley brand; and vitamins, minerals and supplement products under the RenewLife, Natural Vitality, NeoCell, and Rainbow Light brands in the United States.