Royce & Associates LP Acquires 25,255 Shares of Signet Jewelers Limited (NYSE:SIG)

Key Points

• Royce & Associates LP has increased its holdings in Signet Jewelers by 12.5%, acquiring an additional 25,255 shares during the first quarter, bringing their total ownership to 227,535 shares valued at approximately $13.2 million.
• Signet Jewelers reported an earnings per share (EPS) of $1.18 for the latest quarter, exceeding estimates of $1.01, while revenue for the quarter was $1.54 billion, slightly above the expected $1.52 billion.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.32 per share, set to be distributed on August 22, indicating a yield of 1.51% despite a high dividend payout ratio of 139.13%.

Royce & Associates LP increased its holdings in Signet Jewelers Limited (NYSE:SIG - Free Report) by 12.5% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 227,535 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 25,255 shares during the quarter. Royce & Associates LP owned 0.53% of Signet Jewelers worth $13,211,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Signet Jewelers during the 4th quarter worth $40,989,000. Bryce Point Capital LLC purchased a new position in Signet Jewelers during the fourth quarter valued at $1,530,000. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in Signet Jewelers during the first quarter valued at about $2,112,000. Anomaly Capital Management LP increased its position in Signet Jewelers by 862.5% in the fourth quarter. Anomaly Capital Management LP now owns 1,762,523 shares of the company's stock worth $142,253,000 after buying an additional 1,579,410 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Signet Jewelers in the first quarter worth about $254,000.

Signet Jewelers Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:SIG opened at $84.51 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $3.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 91.86, a P/E/G ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.39. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $77.31 and a 200 day moving average price of $64.20. Signet Jewelers Limited has a fifty-two week low of $45.55 and a fifty-two week high of $106.28.

Signet Jewelers (NYSE:SIG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, June 3rd. The company reported $1.18 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.01 by $0.17. The business had revenue of $1.54 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.52 billion. Signet Jewelers had a net margin of 0.63% and a return on equity of 22.41%. The business's revenue was up 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.11 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Signet Jewelers Limited will post 8.73 earnings per share for the current year.

Signet Jewelers Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 22nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 25th will be issued a dividend of $0.32 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 25th. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.51%. Signet Jewelers's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 139.13%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Bank of America boosted their price objective on Signet Jewelers from $65.00 to $78.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 4th. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on shares of Signet Jewelers in a research report on Monday, June 16th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $102.00 price target for the company. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Signet Jewelers from $70.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 4th. Telsey Advisory Group lifted their target price on shares of Signet Jewelers from $80.00 to $92.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, CL King began coverage on Signet Jewelers in a research note on Monday, May 5th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $80.00 price target for the company. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $88.86.

Signet Jewelers Company Profile

Signet Jewelers Limited operates as a diamond jewelry retailer. It operates through three segments: North America, International, and Other. The North America segment operates jewelry stores in jewelry stores in malls, mall-based kiosks, and off-mall locations in the United States and Canada primarily under the Kay Jewelers, Kay Jewelers Outlet, Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry, Jared Vault, Zales Outlet, Zales Jewelers, Diamonds Direct, James Allen, Banter by Piercing Pagoda, and Peoples Jewellers names, as well as operates online through its digital banners, James Allen and Blue Nile.

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