Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. Grows Stock Holdings in McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC)

Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. lifted its position in McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC - Free Report) by 5.7% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 88,287 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 4,771 shares during the quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD.'s holdings in McCormick & Company, Incorporated were worth $7,267,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. grew its position in McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 2.8% during the 4th quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 5,040 shares of the company's stock worth $382,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares during the period. Sage Capital Advisors llc grew its position in McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 2.8% during the 1st quarter. Sage Capital Advisors llc now owns 5,017 shares of the company's stock worth $413,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares during the period. Bessemer Group Inc. grew its position in McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 43,002 shares of the company's stock worth $3,278,000 after purchasing an additional 139 shares during the period. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. grew its position in McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 1.8% during the 1st quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 7,810 shares of the company's stock worth $643,000 after purchasing an additional 140 shares during the period. Finally, Miracle Mile Advisors LLC grew its position in McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC now owns 11,078 shares of the company's stock worth $912,000 after purchasing an additional 146 shares during the period. 79.74% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

McCormick & Company, Incorporated Price Performance

Shares of MKC stock traded down $0.52 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $71.92. 1,857,648 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,070,522. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $74.10 and a 200 day moving average of $76.33. The company has a quick ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. McCormick & Company, Incorporated has a 52-week low of $69.98 and a 52-week high of $86.24. The company has a market cap of $19.30 billion, a PE ratio of 24.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.48 and a beta of 0.68.

McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, June 26th. The company reported $0.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.65 by $0.04. McCormick & Company, Incorporated had a net margin of 11.50% and a return on equity of 14.43%. The business had revenue of $1.66 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.67 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.69 EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 1.0% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that McCormick & Company, Incorporated will post 3.07 earnings per share for the current year.

McCormick & Company, Incorporated Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 21st. Investors of record on Monday, July 7th will be issued a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.50%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, July 7th. McCormick & Company, Incorporated's payout ratio is 62.50%.

Insider Transactions at McCormick & Company, Incorporated

In related news, insider Katherine Jenkins sold 7,642 shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.38, for a total value of $583,695.96. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 23.80% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Argus downgraded McCormick & Company, Incorporated from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 27th. UBS Group assumed coverage on McCormick & Company, Incorporated in a research report on Monday, June 16th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $83.00 price target on the stock. Citigroup cut their price target on McCormick & Company, Incorporated from $80.00 to $77.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, June 17th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised McCormick & Company, Incorporated from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, July 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $84.13.

McCormick & Company, Incorporated Profile

McCormick & Co, Inc engages in the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of spices, seasoning mixes, condiments, and other flavorful products to retail outlets, food manufacturers, and foodservice businesses. It operates through the Consumer and Flavor Solutions segments. The Consumer segment sells spices, seasonings, condiments, and sauces.