The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX) Shares Acquired by Merit Financial Group LLC

Merit Financial Group LLC grew its position in shares of The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX - Free Report) by 35.3% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 47,221 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailer's stock after acquiring an additional 12,330 shares during the quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC's holdings in TJX Companies were worth $5,752,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Bogart Wealth LLC purchased a new position in TJX Companies during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. purchased a new position in shares of TJX Companies during the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. Millstone Evans Group LLC bought a new position in TJX Companies during the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Promus Capital LLC purchased a new stake in TJX Companies in the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, Tacita Capital Inc purchased a new stake in TJX Companies in the 4th quarter worth about $38,000. 91.09% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

TJX Companies Stock Down 0.6%

Shares of NYSE TJX traded down $0.74 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $127.34. The company had a trading volume of 4,693,434 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,245,631. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 1.19 and a quick ratio of 0.50. The TJX Companies, Inc. has a 1-year low of $105.53 and a 1-year high of $135.85. The company has a market capitalization of $142.25 billion, a PE ratio of 29.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.75 and a beta of 0.94. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $127.41 and its 200 day simple moving average is $124.00.

TJX Companies (NYSE:TJX - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, May 21st. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $0.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.90 by $0.02. TJX Companies had a net margin of 8.63% and a return on equity of 61.82%. The business had revenue of $13.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $13.01 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.93 EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.18 earnings per share for the current year.

TJX Companies Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 5th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 15th will be given a $0.425 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 15th. This is a boost from TJX Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.38. This represents a $1.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.34%. TJX Companies's dividend payout ratio is 40.00%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

TJX has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets restated an "outperform" rating on shares of TJX Companies in a research report on Wednesday, May 21st. Wall Street Zen upgraded TJX Companies from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, May 12th. TD Securities increased their target price on TJX Companies from $140.00 to $142.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 20th. Barclays reiterated an "overweight" rating and set a $147.00 target price (up from $137.00) on shares of TJX Companies in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd. Finally, Cowen reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Tuesday, May 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $141.53.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other TJX Companies news, Director Amy B. Lane sold 950 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $128.09, for a total transaction of $121,685.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 22,712 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,909,180.08. This trade represents a 4.01% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

TJX Companies Company Profile

The TJX Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an off-price apparel and home fashions retailer in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Marmaxx, HomeGoods, TJX Canada, and TJX International. The company sells family apparel, including footwear and accessories; home fashions, such as home basics, furniture, rugs, lighting products, giftware, soft home products, decorative accessories, tabletop, and cookware, as well as expanded pet, and gourmet food departments; jewelry and accessories; and other merchandise.