Two Sigma Advisers LP Grows Stock Position in Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK)

Two Sigma Advisers LP raised its holdings in Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK - Free Report) by 53.0% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 103,000 shares of the industrial products company's stock after purchasing an additional 35,700 shares during the period. Two Sigma Advisers LP owned 0.09% of Rockwell Automation worth $29,436,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of ROK. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust purchased a new position in shares of Rockwell Automation in the fourth quarter worth about $34,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. bought a new position in shares of Rockwell Automation in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Parvin Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Rockwell Automation in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Flagship Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Rockwell Automation in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Finally, Knuff & Co LLC boosted its position in shares of Rockwell Automation by 41.0% in the fourth quarter. Knuff & Co LLC now owns 141 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 41 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.75% of the company's stock.

Rockwell Automation Trading Down 0.3%

Rockwell Automation stock traded down $0.80 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $305.50. 481,495 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 876,047. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 1.08 and a quick ratio of 0.72. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $260.01 and its 200 day moving average price is $276.35. The firm has a market capitalization of $34.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.04, a P/E/G ratio of 3.53 and a beta of 1.32. Rockwell Automation, Inc. has a 52-week low of $215.00 and a 52-week high of $310.78.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The industrial products company reported $2.45 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.09 by $0.36. The firm had revenue of $2 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.97 billion. Rockwell Automation had a net margin of 11.38% and a return on equity of 30.17%. The company's revenue was down 5.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.50 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Rockwell Automation, Inc. will post 9.35 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Rockwell Automation Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 19th will be given a $1.31 dividend. This represents a $5.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.72%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 19th. Rockwell Automation's dividend payout ratio is presently 65.99%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Rockwell Automation from $260.00 to $283.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 8th. KeyCorp lifted their target price on shares of Rockwell Automation from $275.00 to $330.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Rockwell Automation from $271.00 to $299.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, May 16th. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Rockwell Automation from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Rockwell Automation from $265.00 to $315.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $310.37.

Insider Transactions at Rockwell Automation

In related news, VP Terry L. Riesterer sold 2,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $304.13, for a total value of $760,325.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 1,033 shares in the company, valued at $314,166.29. The trade was a 70.76% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, SVP Matheus De A. G. Viera Bulho sold 939 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $304.24, for a total transaction of $285,681.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 983 shares in the company, valued at approximately $299,067.92. The trade was a 48.86% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 6,839 shares of company stock valued at $2,014,256 in the last three months. 0.68% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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.