Algert Global LLC Grows Position in Morningstar, Inc. (NASDAQ:MORN)

Algert Global LLC grew its stake in Morningstar, Inc. (NASDAQ:MORN - Free Report) by 45.4% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 37,086 shares of the business services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 11,577 shares during the period. Algert Global LLC owned 0.09% of Morningstar worth $12,489,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of MORN. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Morningstar by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,803,611 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $944,144,000 after purchasing an additional 51,598 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in Morningstar by 13.7% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 1,080,599 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $363,903,000 after acquiring an additional 130,087 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in Morningstar by 12.9% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 561,431 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $189,116,000 after purchasing an additional 64,020 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Morningstar in the fourth quarter valued at about $111,694,000. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its holdings in Morningstar by 4.5% during the fourth quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 305,014 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $102,719,000 after acquiring an additional 13,155 shares in the last quarter. 57.02% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Morningstar Stock Performance

Shares of MORN stock traded down $1.62 on Tuesday, hitting $293.53. The company's stock had a trading volume of 172,694 shares, compared to its average volume of 137,760. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.14. Morningstar, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $250.34 and a fifty-two week high of $365.00. The stock's 50 day moving average is $286.91 and its 200-day moving average is $319.02. The company has a market capitalization of $12.57 billion, a PE ratio of 38.78 and a beta of 0.99.

Morningstar (NASDAQ:MORN - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The business services provider reported $2.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.10 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $581.90 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $589.07 million. Morningstar had a return on equity of 23.28% and a net margin of 14.69%.

Morningstar Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 30th. Investors of record on Friday, April 4th were paid a $0.455 dividend. This is a positive change from Morningstar's previous quarterly dividend of $0.41. This represents a $1.82 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.62%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, April 4th. Morningstar's payout ratio is currently 20.45%.

Insider Transactions at Morningstar

In other news, Chairman Joseph D. Mansueto sold 9,062 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $326.86, for a total transaction of $2,962,005.32. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now owns 10,109,617 shares in the company, valued at $3,304,429,412.62. The trade was a 0.09 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders sold a total of 57,828 shares of company stock worth $18,207,438 over the last three months. 36.20% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. StockNews.com upgraded Morningstar from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday. BMO Capital Markets lowered their target price on shares of Morningstar from $387.00 to $370.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, March 3rd.

Morningstar Company Profile

Morningstar, Inc provides independent investment insights in the United States, Asia. Australia, Continental Europe, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates in five segments: Morningstar Data and Analytics; PitchBook; Morningstar Wealth; Morningstar Credit; and Morningstar Retirement.