Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK) Shares Sold by Brown Advisory Inc.

Brown Advisory Inc. trimmed its holdings in shares of Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK - Free Report) by 5.5% in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 27,904 shares of the industrial products company's stock after selling 1,626 shares during the quarter. Brown Advisory Inc.'s holdings in Rockwell Automation were worth $7,210,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Citizens National Bank Trust Department purchased a new position in Rockwell Automation during the first quarter worth about $26,000. Cooksen Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Rockwell Automation in the 1st quarter worth approximately $34,000. Parvin Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Rockwell Automation during the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. Flagship Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Rockwell Automation during the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. Finally, Accredited Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Rockwell Automation in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $47,000. 75.75% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Rockwell Automation Stock Down 0.5%

Shares of NYSE ROK traded down $1.81 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $343.14. 516,535 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 864,992. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $317.25 and its 200-day simple moving average is $285.11. The company has a market cap of $38.68 billion, a PE ratio of 43.22, a P/E/G ratio of 3.86 and a beta of 1.38. Rockwell Automation, Inc. has a twelve month low of $215.00 and a twelve month high of $348.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 1.05 and a quick ratio of 0.72.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 7th. The industrial products company reported $2.45 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.09 by $0.36. The company had revenue of $2 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.97 billion. Rockwell Automation had a net margin of 11.38% and a return on equity of 30.16%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was down 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.50 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that Rockwell Automation, Inc. will post 9.35 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Rockwell Automation Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 10th. Investors of record on Monday, August 18th will be given a $1.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 18th. This represents a $5.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.53%. Rockwell Automation's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 65.99%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. CICC Research began coverage on Rockwell Automation in a research report on Monday, July 7th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $381.00 price target for the company. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on Rockwell Automation from $315.00 to $365.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 1st. Loop Capital lifted their target price on Rockwell Automation from $280.00 to $290.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 15th. TD Cowen upgraded shares of Rockwell Automation from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating and set a $275.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Rockwell Automation from $271.00 to $299.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $332.00.

Insider Transactions at Rockwell Automation

In other Rockwell Automation news, SVP Matheus De A. G. Viera Bulho sold 526 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $325.35, for a total transaction of $171,134.10. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 983 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $319,819.05. This trade represents a 34.86% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Christopher Nardecchia sold 551 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $326.31, for a total value of $179,796.81. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 12,711 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,147,726.41. The trade was a 4.15% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 7,388 shares of company stock valued at $2,307,487 over the last quarter. 0.68% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About Rockwell Automation

Rockwell Automation, Inc provides industrial automation and digital transformation solutions in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company operates through three segments, Intelligent Devices, Software & Control, and Lifecycle Services. Its solutions include hardware and software products and services.