Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC Grows Stock Holdings in Whirlpool Corporation $WHR

Key Points

• Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC significantly increased its stake in Whirlpool Corporation by 636.7%, acquiring an additional 80,932 shares and now holding approximately 0.17% of the company, valued at $8.44 million.
• Whirlpool's recent quarterly earnings report showed earnings per share of $1.34, falling short of analysts' expectations of $1.54, with total revenue at $3.77 billion.
• The consensus rating for Whirlpool stock is a "Hold" with an average target price of $98.83 following various analyst upgrades and downgrades.

Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC increased its position in shares of Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE:WHR - Free Report) by 636.7% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 93,643 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 80,932 shares during the period. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC owned approximately 0.17% of Whirlpool worth $8,440,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Cheviot Value Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Whirlpool in the 1st quarter valued at about $36,000. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. grew its position in Whirlpool by 120.7% during the fourth quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 320 shares of the company's stock valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 175 shares during the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its stake in Whirlpool by 40.4% in the first quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 448 shares of the company's stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 129 shares during the last quarter. Manitou Investment Management Ltd. purchased a new stake in Whirlpool during the 1st quarter valued at about $50,000. Finally, HHM Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in Whirlpool by 77.2% during the 1st quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 560 shares of the company's stock valued at $50,000 after buying an additional 244 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 90.78% of the company's stock.

Whirlpool Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:WHR traded up $0.0880 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $87.0880. 198,036 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,337,729. The company's 50 day moving average price is $94.48 and its 200-day moving average price is $90.23. Whirlpool Corporation has a 52 week low of $73.72 and a 52 week high of $135.49. The firm has a market cap of $4.87 billion, a PE ratio of -32.86 and a beta of 1.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.39, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.46.

Whirlpool (NYSE:WHR - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 28th. The company reported $1.34 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.54 by ($0.20). The company had revenue of $3.77 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.88 billion. Whirlpool had a negative net margin of 0.95% and a positive return on equity of 20.81%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was down 5.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.39 EPS. Whirlpool has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.000-8.000 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Whirlpool Corporation will post 9.52 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Whirlpool Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 29th will be issued a $0.90 dividend. This represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.1%. Whirlpool's dividend payout ratio is currently -135.85%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently weighed in on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on shares of Whirlpool from $109.00 to $89.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price target on shares of Whirlpool from $65.00 to $63.00 and set an "underperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Bank of America reiterated an "underperform" rating and set a $70.00 target price (down previously from $100.00) on shares of Whirlpool in a report on Tuesday, July 29th. Longbow Research upgraded Whirlpool from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $145.00 target price for the company in a research note on Monday, June 30th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Whirlpool from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Saturday, July 26th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Whirlpool presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $98.83.

Whirlpool Profile

Whirlpool Corporation manufactures and markets home appliances and related products and services in the North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Asia. The company's principal products include refrigerators, freezers, ice makers, and refrigerator water filters; laundry appliances, and commercial laundry products and related laundry accessories; cooking and other small domestic appliances; and dishwasher appliances and related accessories, as well as mixers.