Allianz Asset Management GmbH Acquires 40,838 Shares of Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE:WHR)

Key Points

• Allianz Asset Management GmbH increased its stake in Whirlpool Corporation by 44.7% during the first quarter, owning approximately 0.24% of the company worth $11.91 million.
• Whirlpool reported an earnings per share (EPS) of $1.70, beating analyst estimates by $0.03, despite a 19.4% year-over-year decline in revenue.
• The company's stock has seen mixed analyst ratings, with a consensus rating of "Hold" and target prices ranging from $65.00 to $145.00.

Allianz Asset Management GmbH grew its position in shares of Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE:WHR - Free Report) by 44.7% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 132,137 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 40,838 shares during the period. Allianz Asset Management GmbH owned 0.24% of Whirlpool worth $11,910,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Nemes Rush Group LLC grew its holdings in Whirlpool by 79.1% during the 4th quarter. Nemes Rush Group LLC now owns 274 shares of the company's stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 121 shares in the last quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. grew its holdings in Whirlpool by 120.7% during the 4th quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 320 shares of the company's stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 175 shares in the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. boosted its stake in Whirlpool by 40.4% during the first quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 448 shares of the company's stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 129 shares during the period. Manitou Investment Management Ltd. bought a new position in Whirlpool in the 1st quarter worth about $50,000. Finally, Anderson Financial Strategies LLC bought a new position in Whirlpool in the 4th quarter worth about $54,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.78% of the company's stock.

Whirlpool Price Performance

Shares of WHR traded down $0.87 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $83.89. The stock had a trading volume of 4,132,012 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,034,275. The company's 50-day moving average is $93.08 and its 200 day moving average is $94.49. Whirlpool Corporation has a 12-month low of $73.72 and a 12-month high of $135.49. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.39. The company has a market capitalization of $4.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -31.66 and a beta of 1.25.

Whirlpool (NYSE:WHR - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, July 28th. The company reported $1.34 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.54 by ($0.20). Whirlpool had a negative net margin of 0.95% and a positive return on equity of 20.81%. The company had revenue of $3.77 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.88 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.39 EPS. The company's revenue was down 5.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that Whirlpool Corporation will post 9.52 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on WHR shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on Whirlpool from $109.00 to $89.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Wall Street Zen lowered Whirlpool from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Saturday. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their target price on Whirlpool from $65.00 to $63.00 and set an "underperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday. Bank of America reissued an "underperform" rating and issued a $70.00 target price (down previously from $100.00) on shares of Whirlpool in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Longbow Research raised Whirlpool from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $145.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Monday, June 30th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Whirlpool currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $101.00.

Whirlpool Profile

Whirlpool Corporation manufactures and markets home appliances and related products and services in the North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Asia. The company's principal products include refrigerators, freezers, ice makers, and refrigerator water filters; laundry appliances, and commercial laundry products and related laundry accessories; cooking and other small domestic appliances; and dishwasher appliances and related accessories, as well as mixers.