Advanced Energy Industries (NASDAQ:AEIS) Reaches New 52-Week High Following Analyst Upgrade

Key Points

• Advanced Energy Industries' stock reached a new **52-week high** after Benchmark raised its price target from **$130.00 to $150.00**, maintaining a **buy rating**.
• The company reported an **earnings per share (EPS)** of $1.50 for the last quarter, exceeding the expected $1.28, with revenues increasing **21% year-over-year** to **$441.50 million**.
• A quarterly dividend of **$0.10** was announced, representing a **0.3% yield**, with an ex-dividend date set for **August 25th**.

Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEIS - Get Free Report)'s stock price hit a new 52-week high on Thursday after Benchmark raised their price target on the stock from $130.00 to $150.00. Benchmark currently has a buy rating on the stock. Advanced Energy Industries traded as high as $146.08 and last traded at $145.33, with a volume of 140431 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $139.81.

AEIS has been the subject of several other reports. Citigroup increased their price target on shares of Advanced Energy Industries from $138.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, May 5th. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on shares of Advanced Energy Industries from $124.00 to $132.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, May 1st. Stifel Nicolaus set a $150.00 price objective on shares of Advanced Energy Industries and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Advanced Energy Industries from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Friday, June 27th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC lifted their price target on shares of Advanced Energy Industries from $135.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $138.90.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Paul R. Oldham sold 1,173 shares of Advanced Energy Industries stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $131.29, for a total transaction of $154,003.17. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 31,006 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,070,777.74. This trade represents a 3.65% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP John Donaghey sold 2,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $140.00, for a total value of $280,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 11,029 shares in the company, valued at $1,544,060. The trade was a 15.35% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 1.20% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Advanced Energy Industries

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System grew its position in Advanced Energy Industries by 0.7% in the second quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 11,066 shares of the electronics maker's stock worth $1,466,000 after acquiring an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. raised its stake in Advanced Energy Industries by 26.0% in the first quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 446 shares of the electronics maker's stock worth $43,000 after buying an additional 92 shares in the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. raised its stake in Advanced Energy Industries by 42.9% in the second quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 313 shares of the electronics maker's stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 94 shares in the last quarter. Isthmus Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of Advanced Energy Industries by 0.3% in the first quarter. Isthmus Partners LLC now owns 29,565 shares of the electronics maker's stock worth $2,818,000 after acquiring an additional 96 shares during the period. Finally, Huntington National Bank boosted its stake in shares of Advanced Energy Industries by 26.8% during the 2nd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 473 shares of the electronics maker's stock worth $63,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. 99.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Advanced Energy Industries Stock Up 4.0%

The firm has a market cap of $5.47 billion, a PE ratio of 65.57, a PEG ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 1.52. The company's 50 day moving average price is $133.40 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $116.57. The company has a current ratio of 4.43, a quick ratio of 3.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46.

Advanced Energy Industries (NASDAQ:AEIS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 5th. The electronics maker reported $1.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.28 by $0.22. Advanced Energy Industries had a net margin of 5.13% and a return on equity of 12.53%. The company had revenue of $441.50 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $421.32 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.85 EPS. Advanced Energy Industries's revenue for the quarter was up 21.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts expect that Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. will post 3.66 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Advanced Energy Industries Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 25th will be given a $0.10 dividend. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 25th. Advanced Energy Industries's payout ratio is 20.62%.

Advanced Energy Industries Company Profile

Advanced Energy Industries, Inc provides precision power conversion, measurement, and control solutions in the United States and internationally. The company's plasma power products offer solutions to enable innovation for semiconductor and thin film plasma processes, such as dry etch and deposition.

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