BWX Technologies (NYSE:BWXT) Sets New 52-Week High - Still a Buy?

BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:BWXT - Get Free Report)'s stock price hit a new 52-week high on Thursday . The company traded as high as $138.51 and last traded at $137.69, with a volume of 364395 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $135.80.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Seaport Res Ptn upgraded shares of BWX Technologies to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 1st. William Blair started coverage on shares of BWX Technologies in a research note on Wednesday, May 28th. They issued an "outperform" rating on the stock. Bank of America decreased their price target on shares of BWX Technologies from $160.00 to $135.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, March 26th. CLSA reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and issued a $177.60 target price (up from $153.00) on shares of BWX Technologies in a research note on Tuesday, May 27th. Finally, Maxim Group cut their price target on shares of BWX Technologies from $140.00 to $136.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, May 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $129.84.

BWX Technologies Trading Up 1.5%

The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $112.69 and a 200-day moving average price of $111.86. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 2.25 and a current ratio of 2.25. The stock has a market cap of $12.59 billion, a PE ratio of 45.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.20 and a beta of 0.66.

BWX Technologies (NYSE:BWXT - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 5th. The technology company reported $0.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.73 by $0.18. The firm had revenue of $682.26 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $644.15 million. BWX Technologies had a return on equity of 31.95% and a net margin of 10.32%. BWX Technologies's quarterly revenue was up 13.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.76 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that BWX Technologies, Inc. will post 3.23 EPS for the current fiscal year.

BWX Technologies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 19th were given a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.73%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 19th. BWX Technologies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 31.85%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On BWX Technologies

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Stone House Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of BWX Technologies during the 1st quarter valued at about $31,000. Compass Financial Services Inc purchased a new stake in shares of BWX Technologies during the 1st quarter valued at about $33,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of BWX Technologies during the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. Principal Securities Inc. increased its position in shares of BWX Technologies by 40.4% during the 4th quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 316 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 91 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB increased its position in shares of BWX Technologies by 200.0% during the 1st quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 354 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 236 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.39% of the company's stock.

About BWX Technologies

BWX Technologies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells nuclear components in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Government Operations and Commercial Operations. The Government Operations segment designs and manufactures naval nuclear components, reactors, and nuclear fuel; fabrication activities; and supplies proprietary and sole-source valves, manifolds, and fittings to naval and commercial shipping customers.