United Asset Strategies Inc. Has $216,000 Stock Position in The Clorox Company $CLX

Key Points

• United Asset Strategies Inc. cut its stake in The Clorox Company by 94.8% in Q4, selling 39,055 shares and retaining 2,142 shares worth about $216,000.
• Clorox slightly missed EPS ($1.39 vs. $1.43 expected) while reporting $1.67B in revenue, and it declared a quarterly dividend of $1.24 (annualized $4.96) for a 5.1% yield with a payout ratio of 81%.
• Wall Street has grown more cautious—multiple firms cut price targets and the stock carries an average consensus rating of Reduce with an average target of $111.33.

United Asset Strategies Inc. lessened its stake in The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX - Free Report) by 94.8% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,142 shares of the company's stock after selling 39,055 shares during the quarter. United Asset Strategies Inc.'s holdings in Clorox were worth $216,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Center for Financial Planning Inc. acquired a new stake in Clorox during the third quarter worth about $25,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC acquired a new stake in Clorox during the third quarter worth about $25,000. True Wealth Design LLC grew its stake in Clorox by 1,020.0% during the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 224 shares of the company's stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 204 shares in the last quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Clorox during the third quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Clorox during the second quarter worth about $29,000. 78.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Clorox Stock Up 0.9%

Shares of NYSE CLX opened at $97.70 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.74, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 71.03. The company has a market cap of $11.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.96, a PEG ratio of 0.48 and a beta of 0.65. The Clorox Company has a 12 month low of $96.58 and a 12 month high of $143.96. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $110.94 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $109.62.

Clorox (NYSE:CLX - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The company reported $1.39 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.43 by ($0.04). Clorox had a return on equity of 383.01% and a net margin of 11.17%.The firm had revenue of $1.67 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.64 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.55 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was down .8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that The Clorox Company will post 5.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Clorox Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 8th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 22nd will be paid a $1.24 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 22nd. This represents a $4.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.1%. Clorox's dividend payout ratio is currently 81.05%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

CLX has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of Clorox from $136.00 to $110.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of Clorox from $109.00 to $102.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 14th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price objective on shares of Clorox from $151.00 to $139.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated an "underweight" rating and set a $99.00 price objective (down from $117.00) on shares of Clorox in a research note on Friday, April 17th. Finally, UBS Group reduced their price objective on shares of Clorox from $121.00 to $110.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have issued a Hold rating and four have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Reduce" and an average price target of $111.33.

Clorox Profile

The Clorox Company is a leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products designed to help people care for their homes and live healthy, sustainable lives. Its portfolio spans cleaning and household products, food and beverages, water filtration systems and cat litter, serving both retail and institutional customers. The company's flagship bleach and disinfecting products are well known in the United States and many international markets, where they help prevent the spread of germs in homes, hospitals, schools and businesses.

Clorox's diverse brand lineup includes liquid bleach and surface cleaners, eco-friendly cleaning tools, food preservation and preparation items, charcoal grills and briquettes, specialty foods and beverages, pet care products and personal care lines.

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