Fayez Sarofim & Co Raises Stake in Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE)

Fayez Sarofim & Co increased its holdings in shares of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE - Free Report) by 0.4% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,163,052 shares of the financial services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 8,484 shares during the period. Fayez Sarofim & Co owned 0.38% of Intercontinental Exchange worth $322,316,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Sierra Ocean LLC acquired a new stake in Intercontinental Exchange during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Redwood Park Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Intercontinental Exchange during the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Intercontinental Exchange in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $34,000. BankPlus Trust Department purchased a new position in Intercontinental Exchange during the fourth quarter valued at $40,000. Finally, Mountain Hill Investment Partners Corp. purchased a new stake in Intercontinental Exchange during the 4th quarter worth approximately $45,000. 89.30% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Intercontinental Exchange Stock Performance

Shares of ICE stock traded up $0.42 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $163.40. The stock had a trading volume of 1,642,782 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,927,987. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $93.87 billion, a PE ratio of 34.18, a PEG ratio of 2.10 and a beta of 1.09. The stock's 50 day moving average is $166.46 and its 200 day moving average is $160.45. Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. has a twelve month low of $124.34 and a twelve month high of $177.45.

Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE:ICE - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The financial services provider reported $1.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.53 by ($0.01). Intercontinental Exchange had a return on equity of 12.95% and a net margin of 23.42%. As a group, research analysts forecast that Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. will post 6.73 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Intercontinental Exchange Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 16th will be paid a $0.48 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 16th. This represents a $1.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.18%. Intercontinental Exchange's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 40.17%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on ICE. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their target price on shares of Intercontinental Exchange from $178.00 to $186.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, February 7th. Barclays upped their price target on Intercontinental Exchange from $179.00 to $189.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, February 7th. Bank of America cut their target price on Intercontinental Exchange from $237.00 to $230.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 2nd. StockNews.com raised Intercontinental Exchange from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, February 10th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $200.00 price objective on shares of Intercontinental Exchange in a research note on Tuesday, January 7th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Intercontinental Exchange has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $182.47.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Lynn C. Martin sold 4,155 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $165.60, for a total transaction of $688,068.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 57,376 shares in the company, valued at $9,501,465.60. The trade was a 6.75 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, President Benjamin Jackson sold 7,900 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $171.43, for a total transaction of $1,354,297.00. Following the transaction, the president now directly owns 147,274 shares of the company's stock, valued at $25,247,181.82. This represents a 5.09 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 62,931 shares of company stock valued at $10,492,868. Company insiders own 1.00% of the company's stock.

About Intercontinental Exchange

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of market infrastructure, data services, and technology solutions for financial institutions, corporations, and government entities in the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Singapore, India, Abu Dhabi, Israel, and Canada.