Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. $MUFG Stock: Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. Trims Stake

Key Points

• Crossmark Global Holdings reduced its MUFG stake by 8.0% in the third quarter, selling 68,855 shares and retaining 786,632 shares valued at approximately $18.2 million. Institutional investors collectively own 13.59% of the company.
• MUFG’s latest quarterly results exceeded expectations, with EPS of $0.45 versus the $0.35 consensus and revenue of $15.11 billion. Analysts maintain a consensus “Buy” rating, although some caution that the stock’s valuation may be overly optimistic.
• MUFG is expanding its Southeast Asian operations by making Vietnam’s SFinance wholly owned through Bank of Ayudhya, while shares recently traded at $21.78 against a 52-week range of $14.72 to $24.26.

Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. reduced its holdings in shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MUFG - Free Report) by 8.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 786,632 shares of the company's stock after selling 68,855 shares during the quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc.'s holdings in Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group were worth $18,171,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in MUFG. Dorsey Wright & Associates boosted its position in Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group by 39.3% during the first quarter. Dorsey Wright & Associates now owns 223,030 shares of the company's stock worth $3,785,000 after purchasing an additional 62,918 shares during the period. Quantinno Capital Management LP increased its holdings in shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group by 21.4% in the first quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP now owns 2,399,601 shares of the company's stock valued at $40,721,000 after purchasing an additional 423,058 shares during the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP raised its position in shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group by 52.5% in the first quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 476,447 shares of the company's stock valued at $8,085,000 after purchasing an additional 164,083 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers raised its position in shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group by 13.7% in the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 437,318 shares of the company's stock valued at $7,421,000 after purchasing an additional 52,535 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its position in shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group by 6.3% in the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 1,363,726 shares of the company's stock valued at $23,142,000 after purchasing an additional 80,484 shares during the period. 13.59% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group News

Here are the key news stories impacting Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Strategic expansion in Vietnam: MUFG’s Bank of Ayudhya completed its phased acquisition of the remaining 50% of Vietnam’s SFinance, making the consumer-finance company wholly owned. The move could strengthen MUFG’s Southeast Asian growth platform and earnings diversification. MUFG's Bank of Ayudhya makes Vietnam's SFinance a wholly owned subsidiary
• Positive Sentiment: Higher-return businesses offer growth potential: An analysis highlighted MUFG’s higher-return segments as important drivers for achieving its medium-term financial targets, supporting the investment case if those businesses continue to expand. Mitsubishi UFJ: Higher-Return Segments To Drive Group Financial Targets
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst price target: Yahoo Finance lists a $22.27 target for MUFG, implying additional upside from recent trading levels and providing some support for the stock. Yahoo Finance lists a USD 22.27 target for MUFG stock
• Neutral Sentiment: Next earnings catalyst: MUFG scheduled its next results release for November 13. Investors will look for confirmation that recent earnings momentum and returns can be sustained. November 13 results date set by Mitsubishi UFJ
• Neutral Sentiment: MUFG and Yamakasa are reportedly set to operate fully owned securities firms in China, potentially broadening the group’s regional securities presence, though financial benefits are not yet clear. Mitsubishi UFJ and Yamakasa to Operate Fully-Owned Securities Firms in China
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation risk: Despite strong operating performance, one analysis argued that MUFG’s valuation looks overly optimistic. That could limit near-term upside unless future earnings growth meets elevated expectations. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group: Strong Performance, But Valuation Looks Too Optimistic

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on MUFG shares. Erste Group Bank began coverage on shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group in a research note on Thursday, June 25th. They set a "buy" rating for the company. Zacks Research raised shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, October 5th. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group assumed coverage on shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group in a research note on Thursday, June 25th. They issued a "buy" rating on the stock. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group from a "hold (c)" rating to a "buy (b-)" rating in a report on Friday, September 25th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and three have issued a Buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group currently has a consensus rating of "Buy".

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Stock Performance

NYSE:MUFG opened at $21.78 on Thursday. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $22.83 and a 200 day simple moving average of $20.98. The stock has a market cap of $258.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.50, a PEG ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 0.44. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $14.72 and a 1-year high of $24.26. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (NYSE:MUFG - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 4th. The company reported $0.45 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.35 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $15.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.06 billion. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group had a return on equity of 12.30% and a net margin of 17.63%. Research analysts anticipate that Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. will post 1.60 earnings per share for the current year.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Company Profile

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc NYSE: MUFG is a Japanese financial services holding company headquartered in Tokyo. Established in 2005 through the merger of Mitsubishi Tokyo Financial Group and UFJ Holdings, the group is one of Japan's largest banking organizations and serves corporate, institutional, government and individual customers.

Through its principal subsidiaries, including MUFG Bank, Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation and Mitsubishi UFJ Securities Holdings, the company provides commercial and investment banking, trust banking, securities underwriting and brokerage, asset management, credit cards, consumer finance and leasing services.

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