Squarepoint Ops LLC Buys 91,194 Shares of Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:KLIC)

Squarepoint Ops LLC raised its stake in Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:KLIC - Free Report) by 889.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 101,450 shares of the semiconductor company's stock after purchasing an additional 91,194 shares during the period. Squarepoint Ops LLC owned 0.19% of Kulicke and Soffa Industries worth $4,734,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Summit Securities Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Kulicke and Soffa Industries during the fourth quarter worth approximately $37,000. Signaturefd LLC lifted its position in Kulicke and Soffa Industries by 35.5% during the 4th quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 1,061 shares of the semiconductor company's stock worth $50,000 after acquiring an additional 278 shares during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Kulicke and Soffa Industries by 397.4% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,149 shares of the semiconductor company's stock valued at $53,000 after buying an additional 918 shares during the period. Quadrant Capital Group LLC increased its stake in Kulicke and Soffa Industries by 43.4% in the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 1,225 shares of the semiconductor company's stock valued at $57,000 after purchasing an additional 371 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Covestor Ltd grew its position in shares of Kulicke and Soffa Industries by 27.0% in the fourth quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 2,041 shares of the semiconductor company's stock valued at $95,000 after purchasing an additional 434 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.22% of the company's stock.

Kulicke and Soffa Industries Price Performance

Shares of Kulicke and Soffa Industries stock traded down $0.12 on Friday, hitting $32.61. 131,814 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 564,231. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $31.88 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $40.01. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.72 billion, a PE ratio of 271.80 and a beta of 1.53. Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. has a one year low of $26.63 and a one year high of $53.71.

Kulicke and Soffa Industries (NASDAQ:KLIC - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The semiconductor company reported ($0.52) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.19 by ($0.71). Kulicke and Soffa Industries had a negative return on equity of 1.26% and a net margin of 0.48%. The firm had revenue of $161.99 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $165.10 million. During the same quarter last year, the company posted ($0.95) EPS. Kulicke and Soffa Industries's revenue for the quarter was down 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. will post 0.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Kulicke and Soffa Industries Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 8th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 20th were given a dividend of $0.205 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 20th. This represents a $0.82 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.51%. Kulicke and Soffa Industries's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 227.78%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently commented on KLIC shares. TD Cowen cut their price target on Kulicke and Soffa Industries from $50.00 to $36.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. Wall Street Zen raised Kulicke and Soffa Industries from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Needham & Company LLC cut their target price on Kulicke and Soffa Industries from $53.00 to $37.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, May 8th. Finally, DA Davidson lowered their price target on Kulicke and Soffa Industries from $60.00 to $55.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, May 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, Kulicke and Soffa Industries has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $44.50.

About Kulicke and Soffa Industries

Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc designs, manufactures, and sells capital equipment and tools used to assemble semiconductor devices. It operates through four segments: Ball Bonding Equipment, Wedge Bonding Equipment, Advanced Solutions, and Aftermarket Products and Services (APS). The company offers ball bonding equipment, wafer level bonding equipment, wedge bonding equipment; and advanced display, die-attach, and thermocompression systems and solutions, as well as tools, spares and services for equipment.