Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft FI Acquires 1,426 Shares of Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK)

Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft FI grew its holdings in Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK - Free Report) by 49.0% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 4,339 shares of the industrial products company's stock after buying an additional 1,426 shares during the quarter. Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft FI's holdings in Rockwell Automation were worth $1,122,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in ROK. Citizens National Bank Trust Department acquired a new position in Rockwell Automation during the first quarter worth $26,000. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Rockwell Automation during the 1st quarter worth about $31,000. Parvin Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Rockwell Automation during the 4th quarter worth about $36,000. Cooksen Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Rockwell Automation during the 1st quarter worth about $34,000. Finally, Accredited Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Rockwell Automation during the 4th quarter worth about $47,000. 75.75% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Rockwell Automation Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:ROK traded down $0.49 during trading on Friday, hitting $356.00. 681,638 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 864,562. Rockwell Automation, Inc. has a one year low of $215.00 and a one year high of $359.16. The company has a quick ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The stock has a market capitalization of $40.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 44.84, a PEG ratio of 3.64 and a beta of 1.38. The business's fifty day moving average is $324.82 and its 200-day moving average is $287.27.

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

Rockwell Automation Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 18th will be given a dividend of $1.31 per share. This represents a $5.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.47%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 18th. Rockwell Automation's payout ratio is 65.99%.

Insider Activity

In related news, SVP Tessa M. Myers sold 363 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $326.32, for a total value of $118,454.16. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 4,063 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,325,838.16. This trade represents a 8.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Matthew W. Fordenwalt sold 500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $320.02, for a total transaction of $160,010.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 2,709 shares of the company's stock, valued at $866,934.18. This trade represents a 15.58% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 9,757 shares of company stock valued at $3,138,220. Corporate insiders own 0.68% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on ROK. Stephens reissued an "overweight" rating and issued a $375.00 target price (up from $350.00) on shares of Rockwell Automation in a research report on Wednesday. CICC Research began coverage on Rockwell Automation in a research report on Monday, July 7th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $381.00 target price for the company. Bank of America raised Rockwell Automation from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and upped their target price for the company from $360.00 to $410.00 in a research report on Wednesday. Loop Capital increased their price objective on Rockwell Automation from $280.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 15th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Rockwell Automation from $271.00 to $299.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, May 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $341.11.

Rockwell Automation Profile

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.