The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. $EL Shares Bought by Russell Investments Group Ltd.

Key Points

• Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its stake in The Estee Lauder Companies by 171.9%, now holding 601,351 shares worth approximately $39.68 million.
• Several other institutional investors also adjusted their positions, with 55.15% of the company's stock now owned by institutional investors.
• Analyst ratings reflect mixed sentiment, with thirteen analysts giving a hold rating and a current average price target of $85.80.

Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its stake in shares of The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL - Free Report) by 171.9% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 601,351 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 380,199 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. owned about 0.17% of Estee Lauder Companies worth $39,678,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Prudential PLC increased its stake in Estee Lauder Companies by 101.8% in the 1st quarter. Prudential PLC now owns 13,932 shares of the company's stock valued at $920,000 after buying an additional 7,028 shares during the last quarter. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its position in shares of Estee Lauder Companies by 8.8% during the first quarter. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 74,246 shares of the company's stock valued at $4,893,000 after acquiring an additional 6,023 shares during the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Estee Lauder Companies by 3.8% during the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 26,105 shares of the company's stock worth $1,723,000 after acquiring an additional 962 shares during the period. Public Sector Pension Investment Board lifted its holdings in Estee Lauder Companies by 9.0% during the first quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 31,861 shares of the company's stock worth $2,103,000 after acquiring an additional 2,644 shares during the period. Finally, Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in Estee Lauder Companies in the first quarter worth $35,607,000. 55.15% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently commented on EL. B. Riley reiterated a "neutral" rating and set a $60.00 target price (down from $70.00) on shares of Estee Lauder Companies in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of Estee Lauder Companies in a research report on Thursday, July 10th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $110.00 price objective on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their target price on shares of Estee Lauder Companies from $95.00 to $98.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Estee Lauder Companies from $60.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 9th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price objective on Estee Lauder Companies from $100.00 to $90.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 2nd. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Estee Lauder Companies has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $86.95.

Estee Lauder Companies Stock Performance

Estee Lauder Companies stock traded up $0.24 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $91.21. 3,214,159 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,111,918. The firm's fifty day moving average is $84.79 and its two-hundred day moving average is $71.79. The company has a market capitalization of $32.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -37.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 6.49 and a beta of 1.18. The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $48.37 and a fifty-two week high of $103.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68, a current ratio of 1.41 and a quick ratio of 1.02.

About Estee Lauder Companies

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc manufactures, markets, and sells skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products worldwide. It offers skin care products, including moisturizers, serums, cleansers, toners, body care, exfoliators, acne care and oil correctors, facial masks, and sun care products; and makeup products, such as lipsticks, lip glosses, mascaras, foundations, eyeshadows, and powders, as well as compacts, brushes, and other makeup tools.