Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) Shares Sold by Cozad Asset Management Inc.

Key Points

• Cozad Asset Management Inc. reduced its stake in Oracle Corporation by 10.9%, owning 8,695 shares worth approximately $1.2 million after selling 1,060 shares during the first quarter.
• Several institutional investors have significantly increased their holdings in Oracle, with GAMMA Investing LLC raising its position by an impressive 15,012.3% during the same period.
• Oracle recently declared a quarterly dividend of $0.50 per share, reflecting an annualized dividend yield of 0.80%, with a payout ratio of 46.08%.

Cozad Asset Management Inc. lowered its position in shares of Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL - Free Report) by 10.9% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 8,695 shares of the enterprise software provider's stock after selling 1,060 shares during the period. Cozad Asset Management Inc.'s holdings in Oracle were worth $1,216,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Sunbeam Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Oracle in the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Hurley Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Oracle in the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. Redmont Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Oracle during the first quarter valued at $27,000. Inlight Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Oracle during the first quarter worth $28,000. Finally, Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Oracle by 284.9% in the 1st quarter. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC now owns 204 shares of the enterprise software provider's stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 151 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 42.44% of the company's stock.

Oracle Stock Performance

ORCL traded up $0.56 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $250.54. The company's stock had a trading volume of 8,386,083 shares, compared to its average volume of 11,441,882. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $209.84 and its 200-day simple moving average is $173.44. The company has a quick ratio of 0.75, a current ratio of 0.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.07. Oracle Corporation has a one year low of $118.86 and a one year high of $253.07. The firm has a market cap of $703.72 billion, a PE ratio of 57.73, a P/E/G ratio of 3.73 and a beta of 1.39.

Oracle (NYSE:ORCL - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, June 11th. The enterprise software provider reported $1.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.64 by $0.06. Oracle had a net margin of 21.68% and a return on equity of 87.34%. The company had revenue of $15.90 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.58 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.63 EPS. Oracle's revenue for the quarter was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Oracle Corporation will post 5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Oracle Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 24th. Investors of record on Thursday, July 10th were paid a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.80%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 10th. Oracle's dividend payout ratio is presently 46.08%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ORCL has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on Oracle from $235.00 to $245.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 2nd. Raymond James Financial reissued a "strong-buy" rating on shares of Oracle in a report on Wednesday, June 18th. JMP Securities upped their target price on shares of Oracle from $240.00 to $315.00 and gave the stock a "market outperform" rating in a report on Friday, July 18th. DA Davidson increased their price target on shares of Oracle from $140.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, June 12th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Oracle from $135.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, June 12th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-three have issued a buy rating and three have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $218.29.

Insider Activity at Oracle

In related news, EVP Maria Smith sold 10,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $232.99, for a total transaction of $2,329,900.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 40,807 shares of the company's stock, valued at $9,507,622.93. This trade represents a 19.68% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Leon E. Panetta sold 17,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $151.24, for a total value of $2,646,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 58,090 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $8,785,531.60. This represents a 23.15% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 448,669 shares of company stock worth $85,555,309 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 42.20% of the company's stock.

About Oracle

Oracle Corporation offers products and services that address enterprise information technology environments worldwide. Its Oracle cloud software as a service offering include various cloud software applications, including Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP), Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise performance management, Oracle Fusion cloud supply chain and manufacturing management, Oracle Fusion cloud human capital management, Oracle Cerner healthcare, Oracle Advertising, and NetSuite applications suite, as well as Oracle Fusion Sales, Service, and Marketing.