BNP Paribas Financial Markets Has $8.13 Million Stock Holdings in Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACLS)

BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its position in shares of Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACLS - Free Report) by 305.4% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 116,290 shares of the semiconductor company's stock after purchasing an additional 87,602 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets owned about 0.36% of Axcelis Technologies worth $8,125,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of ACLS. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Axcelis Technologies by 152.8% in the 4th quarter. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC now owns 13,824 shares of the semiconductor company's stock valued at $966,000 after buying an additional 8,356 shares in the last quarter. Lido Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Axcelis Technologies in the fourth quarter valued at about $214,000. Quarry LP raised its position in Axcelis Technologies by 1,387.5% in the fourth quarter. Quarry LP now owns 714 shares of the semiconductor company's stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 666 shares in the last quarter. Aquatic Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Axcelis Technologies during the fourth quarter worth about $905,000. Finally, Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC acquired a new stake in Axcelis Technologies during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,422,000. 89.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Axcelis Technologies Price Performance

Shares of ACLS stock traded down $0.08 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $62.67. 522,096 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 648,791. Axcelis Technologies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $40.40 and a 52 week high of $158.61. The stock has a market cap of $2.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.52 and a beta of 1.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a current ratio of 5.41 and a quick ratio of 4.05. The stock's 50-day moving average is $51.80 and its 200-day moving average is $64.71.

Axcelis Technologies (NASDAQ:ACLS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 6th. The semiconductor company reported $1.04 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.39 by $0.65. Axcelis Technologies had a net margin of 19.75% and a return on equity of 21.02%. The firm had revenue of $192.56 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $184.86 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.57 EPS. The company's revenue was down 23.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts forecast that Axcelis Technologies, Inc. will post 2.55 EPS for the current year.

Axcelis Technologies declared that its board has authorized a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, March 12th that authorizes the company to repurchase $100.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the semiconductor company to buy up to 5.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are generally a sign that the company's board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ACLS has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. William Blair cut Axcelis Technologies from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. B. Riley reissued a "neutral" rating and set a $50.00 price objective (down from $80.00) on shares of Axcelis Technologies in a report on Monday, April 21st. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a "hold" rating on shares of Axcelis Technologies in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Craig Hallum dropped their target price on shares of Axcelis Technologies from $115.00 to $105.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 15th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Axcelis Technologies has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $131.00.

Axcelis Technologies Company Profile

Axcelis Technologies, Inc designs, manufactures, and services ion implantation and other processing equipment used in the fabrication of semiconductor chips in the United States, Europe, and Asia Pacific. The company offers high energy, high current, and medium current implanters for various application requirements.