Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK) Stock Position Lessened by Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH

Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH cut its stake in shares of Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK - Free Report) by 1.9% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 124,263 shares of the industrial products company's stock after selling 2,470 shares during the period. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH owned about 0.11% of Rockwell Automation worth $32,107,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of ROK. Brighton Jones LLC purchased a new position in Rockwell Automation during the fourth quarter worth about $281,000. Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG boosted its stake in Rockwell Automation by 0.9% during the fourth quarter. Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG now owns 4,195 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $1,199,000 after buying an additional 38 shares during the period. Teacher Retirement System of Texas boosted its stake in Rockwell Automation by 39.1% during the fourth quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 1,063 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $304,000 after buying an additional 299 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. boosted its stake in Rockwell Automation by 18.8% during the fourth quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 110,452 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $31,566,000 after buying an additional 17,491 shares during the period. Finally, LPL Financial LLC lifted its position in shares of Rockwell Automation by 20.0% during the fourth quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 151,583 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $43,321,000 after purchasing an additional 25,240 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.75% of the company's stock.

Rockwell Automation Stock Performance

Shares of ROK traded up $1.86 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $358.87. 642,538 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 782,185. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 1.05 and a quick ratio of 0.72. The stock has a market capitalization of $40.45 billion, a PE ratio of 45.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.64 and a beta of 1.38. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $329.75 and its 200-day simple moving average is $289.80. Rockwell Automation, Inc. has a 52-week low of $215.00 and a 52-week high of $360.92.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The industrial products company reported $2.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.09 by $0.36. The business had revenue of $2 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.97 billion. Rockwell Automation had a return on equity of 30.16% and a net margin of 11.38%. The business's revenue was down 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.50 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Rockwell Automation, Inc. will post 9.35 earnings per share for the current year.

Rockwell Automation Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 18th will be paid a dividend of $1.31 per share. This represents a $5.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.46%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 18th. Rockwell Automation's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 65.99%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Bank of America raised shares of Rockwell Automation from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and increased their price target for the stock from $360.00 to $410.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 16th. KeyCorp increased their price target on shares of Rockwell Automation from $360.00 to $370.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 15th. Oppenheimer increased their price target on shares of Rockwell Automation from $304.00 to $371.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 17th. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Rockwell Automation from $350.00 to $370.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 9th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Rockwell Automation from $271.00 to $299.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, May 16th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $341.11.

Insider Buying and Selling at Rockwell Automation

In related news, SVP Tessa M. Myers sold 363 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $326.32, for a total value of $118,454.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 4,063 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,325,838.16. The trade was a 8.20% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Matheus De A. G. Viera Bulho sold 939 shares of Rockwell Automation stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $304.24, for a total value of $285,681.36. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 983 shares of the company's stock, valued at $299,067.92. This trade represents a 48.86% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 9,757 shares of company stock worth $3,138,220. Insiders own 0.68% of the company's stock.

About Rockwell Automation

Rockwell Automation, Inc provides industrial automation and digital transformation solutions in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company operates through three segments, Intelligent Devices, Software & Control, and Lifecycle Services. Its solutions include hardware and software products and services.