Dimensional Fund Advisors LP Boosts Stake in Crane $CR

Key Points

• Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in Crane by 5.6%, owning 842,240 shares valued at approximately $129 million.
• Crane reported a quarterly earnings per share (EPS) of $1.49, exceeding analysts' expectations of $1.34, alongside a revenue of $577.20 million.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.23, marking an annualized yield of 0.5%, with a payout ratio of 15.31%.

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in Crane (NYSE:CR - Free Report) by 5.6% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 842,240 shares of the conglomerate's stock after acquiring an additional 44,360 shares during the quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned 1.46% of Crane worth $129,011,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Golden State Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Crane by 104.8% during the first quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 256 shares of the conglomerate's stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 131 shares during the period. Westpac Banking Corp acquired a new stake in Crane during the first quarter valued at $76,000. Fifth Third Bancorp grew its position in Crane by 31.4% during the first quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 569 shares of the conglomerate's stock valued at $87,000 after buying an additional 136 shares during the period. UMB Bank n.a. grew its position in Crane by 84.7% during the first quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 687 shares of the conglomerate's stock valued at $105,000 after buying an additional 315 shares during the period. Finally, Wayfinding Financial LLC acquired a new stake in Crane during the first quarter valued at $105,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.14% of the company's stock.

Crane Price Performance

Shares of NYSE CR traded down $1.9930 during trading on Monday, hitting $192.2370. The company had a trading volume of 272,878 shares, compared to its average volume of 310,328. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $189.76 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $171.06. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 1.26. Crane has a fifty-two week low of $127.04 and a fifty-two week high of $203.89.

Crane (NYSE:CR - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, July 28th. The conglomerate reported $1.49 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.34 by $0.15. The firm had revenue of $577.20 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $567.70 million. Crane had a net margin of 13.10% and a return on equity of 24.45%. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 9.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.20 earnings per share. Crane has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.500-5.800 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Crane will post 7.87 earnings per share for the current year.

Crane Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 29th will be paid a $0.23 dividend. This represents a $0.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 29th. Crane's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 15.31%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently commented on CR shares. DA Davidson raised their price target on shares of Crane from $200.00 to $230.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Bank of America raised their price target on shares of Crane from $220.00 to $225.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday. UBS Group reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $230.00 target price (up previously from $215.00) on shares of Crane in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on shares of Crane from $189.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their target price on shares of Crane from $187.00 to $226.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 10th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $222.20.

Crane Company Profile

Crane Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells engineered industrial products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Aerospace & Electronics, Process Flow Technologies, and Engineered Materials.