Virtus ETF Advisers LLC Increases Stake in S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI)

Virtus ETF Advisers LLC boosted its holdings in S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI - Free Report) by 30.6% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,362 shares of the business services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 554 shares during the quarter. Virtus ETF Advisers LLC's holdings in S&P Global were worth $1,176,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Human Investing LLC bought a new position in shares of S&P Global during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Noble Wealth Management PBC bought a new position in shares of S&P Global during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. lifted its position in shares of S&P Global by 131.0% during the 4th quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 67 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC lifted its position in shares of S&P Global by 700.0% during the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 72 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 63 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BankPlus Trust Department bought a new position in shares of S&P Global during the 4th quarter worth approximately $40,000. Institutional investors own 87.17% of the company's stock.

S&P Global Price Performance

Shares of NYSE SPGI traded down $1.14 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $478.86. 1,531,067 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,224,669. The company has a market capitalization of $150.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. S&P Global Inc. has a 52-week low of $408.84 and a 52-week high of $545.39. The company's 50-day simple moving average is $491.09 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $502.59.

S&P Global (NYSE:SPGI - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 11th. The business services provider reported $3.77 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $3.41 by $0.36. S&P Global had a return on equity of 14.33% and a net margin of 27.12%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $3.13 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that S&P Global Inc. will post 17.11 EPS for the current year.

S&P Global Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 12th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 26th were paid a $0.96 dividend. This is a boost from S&P Global's previous quarterly dividend of $0.91. This represents a $3.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.80%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 26th. S&P Global's payout ratio is 31.09%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of S&P Global from $595.00 to $600.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on S&P Global from $576.00 to $590.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on S&P Global from $618.00 to $565.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Evercore ISI increased their price target on S&P Global from $599.00 to $608.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Mizuho initiated coverage on S&P Global in a research note on Wednesday, March 12th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $599.00 price target for the company. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, S&P Global currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $591.86.

About S&P Global

S&P Global, Inc engages in the provision of transparent and independent ratings, benchmarks, analytics, and data to the capital and commodity markets worldwide. It operates through the following segments: Market Intelligence, Ratings, Commodity Insights, Mobility, Indices, and Engineering Solutions.