Davis Rea LTD. Takes $1.33 Million Position in Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK)

Davis Rea LTD. purchased a new stake in Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 5,150 shares of the industrial products company's stock, valued at approximately $1,331,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of ROK. Citizens National Bank Trust Department acquired a new stake in Rockwell Automation during the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Rockwell Automation during the 1st quarter worth approximately $31,000. IMA Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Rockwell Automation in the first quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Parvin Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Rockwell Automation in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Finally, Cooksen Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Rockwell Automation in the first quarter valued at approximately $34,000. 75.75% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Transactions at Rockwell Automation

In other news, SVP Matheus De A. G. Viera Bulho sold 939 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $304.24, for a total value of $285,681.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 983 shares of the company's stock, valued at $299,067.92. This represents a 48.86% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Matthew W. Fordenwalt sold 500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $320.02, for a total value 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 represents a 15.58% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 9,757 shares of company stock valued at $3,138,220. 0.68% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Rockwell Automation Price Performance

Shares of ROK stock traded up $1.86 on Friday, reaching $358.87. The company had a trading volume of 642,538 shares, compared to its average volume of 782,185. The stock has a market capitalization of $40.45 billion, a PE ratio of 45.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.64 and a beta of 1.38. The company has a quick ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. Rockwell Automation, Inc. has a one year low of $215.00 and a one year high of $360.92. The business's 50-day moving average is $329.75 and its 200 day moving average is $289.80.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The industrial products company reported $2.45 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.09 by $0.36. The firm had revenue of $2 billion during 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 business's revenue for the quarter was down 5.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.50 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that Rockwell Automation, Inc. will post 9.35 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Rockwell Automation Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 18th will be issued a $1.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 18th. This represents a $5.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.46%. Rockwell Automation's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 65.99%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Stephens lifted their price objective on shares of Rockwell Automation from $350.00 to $375.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Rockwell Automation from $315.00 to $365.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 1st. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Rockwell Automation from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Rockwell Automation from $350.00 to $370.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 9th. Finally, Citigroup reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $392.00 price objective (up from $371.00) on shares of Rockwell Automation in a research report on Monday, July 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Rockwell Automation has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target 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.