Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK) Given Average Rating of “Hold” by Brokerages

Shares of Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK) have received an average rating of “Hold” from the nineteen brokerages that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12 month target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $301.68.

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the company. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on Rockwell Automation from $305.00 to $315.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 11th. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Rockwell Automation from $285.00 to $280.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, March 26th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on shares of Rockwell Automation from $257.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock a “sell” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 11th. Oppenheimer increased their price target on shares of Rockwell Automation from $300.00 to $320.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 11th. Finally, Stephens raised Rockwell Automation from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $275.00 to $350.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 16th.

Insider Activity

In other news, SVP Matheus De A. G. Viera Bulho sold 293 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $257.68, for a total transaction of $75,500.24. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 1,922 shares in the company, valued at approximately $495,260.96. This trade represents a 13.23 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, SVP Tessa M. Myers sold 1,231 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $285.43, for a total transaction of $351,364.33. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 3,650 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,041,819.50. This trade represents a 25.22 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 4,645 shares of company stock valued at $1,321,798. Corporate insiders own 0.68% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Rockwell Automation

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ROK. Public Sector Pension Investment Board grew its position in shares of Rockwell Automation by 14.0% in the 3rd quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 4,897 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $1,315,000 after buying an additional 600 shares during the last quarter. Investment Management Corp of Ontario boosted its stake in Rockwell Automation by 50.9% in the third quarter. Investment Management Corp of Ontario now owns 3,854 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $1,035,000 after acquiring an additional 1,300 shares in the last quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC increased its position in shares of Rockwell Automation by 2.5% during the third quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 6,012 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $1,614,000 after purchasing an additional 149 shares in the last quarter. IHT Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Rockwell Automation by 10.7% during the third quarter. IHT Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,960 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $791,000 after purchasing an additional 285 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Point72 Asset Management L.P. purchased a new stake in shares of Rockwell Automation during the 3rd quarter valued at $8,909,000. Institutional investors own 75.75% of the company’s stock.

Rockwell Automation Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:ROK opened at $242.26 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $269.77 and a 200-day moving average price of $277.06. The company has a market capitalization of $27.39 billion, a PE ratio of 30.17, a PEG ratio of 3.53 and a beta of 1.39. Rockwell Automation has a 1-year low of $215.00 and a 1-year high of $308.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 1.08 and a quick ratio of 0.72.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK) last issued its earnings results on Monday, February 10th. The industrial products company reported $1.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.61 by $0.22. Rockwell Automation had a net margin of 11.38% and a return on equity of 30.17%. As a group, equities analysts expect that Rockwell Automation will post 9.35 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Rockwell Automation Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 19th will be paid a $1.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 19th. This represents a $5.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.16%. Rockwell Automation’s dividend payout ratio is currently 65.26%.

About Rockwell Automation

Rockwell Automation, Inc provides industrial automation and digital transformation solutions in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company operates through three segments, Intelligent Devices, Software & Control, and Lifecycle Services. Its solutions include hardware and software products and services.