Dimensional Fund Advisors LP Decreases Stock Position in Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:SPB)

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lessened its stake in shares of Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:SPB - Free Report) by 2.5% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,207,536 shares of the company's stock after selling 31,190 shares during the quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned about 4.42% of Spectrum Brands worth $102,024,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC bought a new position in Spectrum Brands in the fourth quarter worth approximately $50,000. Blue Trust Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Spectrum Brands by 46.5% in the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,182 shares of the company's stock valued at $100,000 after purchasing an additional 375 shares during the last quarter. KBC Group NV increased its stake in Spectrum Brands by 46.3% in the 4th quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 1,233 shares of the company's stock valued at $104,000 after buying an additional 390 shares during the last quarter. Summit Trail Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Spectrum Brands during the fourth quarter worth $237,000. Finally, City Center Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Spectrum Brands during the 4th quarter worth $306,000.

Spectrum Brands Trading Up 2.5 %

Shares of NYSE SPB traded up $1.60 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $64.67. The company had a trading volume of 98,659 shares, compared to its average volume of 412,222. The company has a quick ratio of 1.53, a current ratio of 2.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. has a one year low of $57.66 and a one year high of $96.74. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $67.67 and its 200-day moving average price is $80.37. The stock has a market cap of $1.70 billion, a PE ratio of 15.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 1.03.

Spectrum Brands (NYSE:SPB - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.91 by $0.11. Spectrum Brands had a return on equity of 6.44% and a net margin of 4.01%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.78 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. will post 5.06 earnings per share for the current year.

Spectrum Brands Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 11th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th were given a $0.47 dividend. This represents a $1.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.91%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 18th. Spectrum Brands's dividend payout ratio is currently 46.19%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Canaccord Genuity Group raised shares of Spectrum Brands from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $94.00 to $102.00 in a report on Friday, February 7th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on shares of Spectrum Brands from $114.00 to $110.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 7th. UBS Group reduced their target price on Spectrum Brands from $106.00 to $76.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 17th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Spectrum Brands from $75.00 to $65.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $95.43.

Spectrum Brands Profile

Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc operates as a branded consumer products and home essentials company in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific regions. It operates through three segments: Home and Personal Care; Global Pet Care; and Home and Garden. The Home and Personal Care segment provides home appliances under the Black & Decker, Russell Hobbs, George Foreman, PowerXL, Emeril Legasse, Copper Chef, Toastmaster, Juiceman, Farberware, and Breadman brands; and personal care products under the Remington brand.