Sterling Investment Counsel LLC Boosts Stock Position in Honeywell International Inc. (NASDAQ:HON)

Sterling Investment Counsel LLC raised its holdings in shares of Honeywell International Inc. (NASDAQ:HON - Free Report) by 294.7% in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 5,095 shares of the conglomerate's stock after buying an additional 3,804 shares during the quarter. Sterling Investment Counsel LLC's holdings in Honeywell International were worth $1,079,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Mainstream Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Honeywell International during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Avalon Trust Co raised its position in shares of Honeywell International by 166.7% during the 4th quarter. Avalon Trust Co now owns 120 shares of the conglomerate's stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 75 shares during the period. Mpwm Advisory Solutions LLC acquired a new position in Honeywell International in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Accredited Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Honeywell International in the fourth quarter worth approximately $34,000. Finally, Curio Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Honeywell International in the fourth quarter worth approximately $35,000. 75.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Honeywell International Stock Down 0.0%

Shares of NASDAQ:HON traded down $0.10 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $221.77. The stock had a trading volume of 1,892,635 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,816,496. Honeywell International Inc. has a 1 year low of $179.36 and a 1 year high of $242.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.43, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a current ratio of 1.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $142.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.46, a P/E/G ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 1.08. The firm's 50 day moving average is $215.66 and its 200-day moving average is $215.90.

Honeywell International (NASDAQ:HON - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 29th. The conglomerate reported $2.51 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.21 by $0.30. The company had revenue of $9.82 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.59 billion. Honeywell International had a net margin of 14.51% and a return on equity of 36.19%. Honeywell International's revenue for the quarter was up 7.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.25 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that Honeywell International Inc. will post 10.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Honeywell International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 6th. Investors of record on Friday, May 16th were paid a dividend of $1.13 per share. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.04%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 16th. Honeywell International's dividend payout ratio is currently 51.95%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently commented on HON. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Honeywell International from $205.00 to $225.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Honeywell International from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Honeywell International from $182.00 to $217.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Mizuho increased their target price on Honeywell International from $235.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Finally, Bank of America raised Honeywell International from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $250.00 target price for the company in a research report on Wednesday, May 7th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $249.21.

About Honeywell International

Honeywell International Inc engages in the aerospace technologies, building automation, energy and sustainable solutions, and industrial automation businesses in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company's Aerospace segment offers auxiliary power units, propulsion engines, integrated avionics, environmental control and electric power systems, engine controls, flight safety, communications, navigation hardware, data and software applications, radar and surveillance systems, aircraft lighting, advanced systems and instruments, satellite and space components, and aircraft wheels and brakes; spare parts; repair, overhaul, and maintenance services; and thermal systems, as well as wireless connectivity services.