Avanza Fonder AB Decreases Stock Position in Danaher Co. (NYSE:DHR)

Avanza Fonder AB lessened its holdings in Danaher Co. (NYSE:DHR - Free Report) by 10.1% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 43,035 shares of the conglomerate's stock after selling 4,841 shares during the period. Avanza Fonder AB's holdings in Danaher were worth $8,829,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Heck Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Danaher during the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Danaher during the fourth quarter valued at about $31,000. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC bought a new stake in shares of Danaher in the fourth quarter worth about $31,000. Pineridge Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Danaher by 63.3% during the 4th quarter. Pineridge Advisors LLC now owns 147 shares of the conglomerate's stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 57 shares during the period. Finally, Kentucky Trust Co bought a new position in Danaher during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Institutional investors own 79.05% of the company's stock.

Insider Transactions at Danaher

In other news, Chairman Steven M. Rales sold 1,250,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $196.74, for a total value of $245,925,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now owns 3,105,808 shares of the company's stock, valued at $611,036,665.92. This represents a 28.70% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Christopher Paul Riley sold 15,805 shares of Danaher stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $198.00, for a total value of $3,129,390.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 15,179 shares in the company, valued at $3,005,442. This trade represents a 51.01% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 11.10% of the company's stock.

Danaher Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE DHR traded up $2.00 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $204.62. 4,491,382 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,494,407. The company has a quick ratio of 1.05, a current ratio of 1.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $191.32 and a 200-day simple moving average of $211.72. Danaher Co. has a 52-week low of $171.00 and a 52-week high of $281.70. The stock has a market capitalization of $146.44 billion, a PE ratio of 38.75, a P/E/G ratio of 2.66 and a beta of 0.77.

Danaher (NYSE:DHR - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, April 22nd. The conglomerate reported $1.88 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.62 by $0.26. Danaher had a net margin of 16.33% and a return on equity of 10.82%. The business had revenue of $5.74 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.58 billion. Equities research analysts anticipate that Danaher Co. will post 7.63 earnings per share for the current year.

Danaher Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 25th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 27th will be given a $0.32 dividend. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.63%. Danaher's payout ratio is presently 24.85%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages recently issued reports on DHR. Citigroup reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Danaher in a research report on Monday, April 7th. Stifel Nicolaus upgraded Danaher from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $260.00 target price on the stock in a report on Friday, March 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their target price on Danaher from $260.00 to $240.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. HSBC reduced their price target on Danaher from $270.00 to $240.00 in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Leerink Partners raised their price objective on Danaher from $225.00 to $230.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $248.17.

Danaher Profile

Danaher Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets professional, medical, industrial, and commercial products and services worldwide. The Biotechnology segments offers bioprocess technologies, consumables, and services that advance, accelerate, and integrate the development and manufacture of therapeutics; cell line and cell culture media development services; cell culture media, process liquids and buffers for manufacturing, chromatography resins, filtration technologies, aseptic fill finish; single-use hardware and consumables and services, such as the design and installation of full manufacturing suites; lab filtration, separation, and purification; lab-scale protein purification and analytical tools; reagents, membranes, and services; and healthcare filtration solutions.