Caxton Associates LLP Makes New $1.14 Million Investment in Service Corporation International $SCI

Key Points

• Caxton Associates LLP has invested approximately $1.14 million in Service Corporation International by purchasing 14,231 shares in the first quarter.
• Service Corporation International reported a net profit margin of 12.60% and earnings of $0.88 per share, exceeding expectations in its latest quarterly results.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.32 per share with a yield of 1.6%, scheduled to be paid on September 30th.

Caxton Associates LLP acquired a new stake in Service Corporation International (NYSE:SCI - Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 14,231 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,141,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Deutsche Bank AG raised its holdings in Service Corporation International by 0.9% in the 1st quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 1,024,608 shares of the company's stock valued at $82,174,000 after buying an additional 9,342 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in Service Corporation International by 1.2% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 931,194 shares of the company's stock valued at $74,682,000 after buying an additional 10,972 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its holdings in Service Corporation International by 136.1% in the 1st quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 782,429 shares of the company's stock valued at $62,751,000 after buying an additional 451,068 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Service Corporation International by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 777,936 shares of the company's stock valued at $62,391,000 after buying an additional 2,316 shares during the period. Finally, UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC raised its holdings in Service Corporation International by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 628,011 shares of the company's stock valued at $50,128,000 after buying an additional 15,945 shares during the period. 85.53% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Service Corporation International Stock Down 1.0%

Shares of Service Corporation International stock traded down $0.81 on Friday, reaching $80.10. 671,931 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 815,304. Service Corporation International has a 1-year low of $71.75 and a 1-year high of $89.37. The company has a market cap of $11.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.97 and a beta of 0.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.19, a current ratio of 0.61 and a quick ratio of 0.56. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $79.31 and its 200-day moving average price is $78.81.

Service Corporation International (NYSE:SCI - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 30th. The company reported $0.88 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.84 by $0.04. Service Corporation International had a return on equity of 32.84% and a net margin of 12.60%.The business had revenue of $1.07 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.05 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.79 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. Service Corporation International has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.700-4.00 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Service Corporation International will post 3.84 EPS for the current year.

Service Corporation International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Monday, September 15th will be issued a $0.32 dividend. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 15th. Service Corporation International's dividend payout ratio is 34.69%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, President Sumner J. Waring III sold 56,100 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.57, for a total value of $4,295,577.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the president directly owned 295,192 shares of the company's stock, valued at $22,602,851.44. This represents a 15.97% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Tony Coelho sold 7,850 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $80.60, for a total value of $632,710.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 36,088 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,908,692.80. This trade represents a 17.87% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 252,082 shares of company stock valued at $20,117,233. 4.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

SCI has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Raymond James Financial reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $90.00 price target (up from $85.00) on shares of Service Corporation International in a research note on Monday, August 4th. Oppenheimer boosted their price target on shares of Service Corporation International from $86.00 to $91.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, August 21st. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $90.25.

About Service Corporation International

Service Corp. International engages in the provision of funeral goods and services. It operates through the Funeral and Cemetery segments. The Funeral segment offers services related to cremations, including the use of home facilities and motor vehicles, arranging and directing services, removal, preparation, embalming, memorialization, and catering.