Vest Financial LLC Makes New Investment in Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:BHE)

Vest Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:BHE - Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 59,124 shares of the technology company's stock, valued at approximately $2,248,000. Vest Financial LLC owned about 0.16% of Benchmark Electronics at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Barclays PLC grew its holdings in Benchmark Electronics by 128.8% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 86,024 shares of the technology company's stock worth $3,814,000 after purchasing an additional 48,425 shares during the period. KBC Group NV lifted its position in shares of Benchmark Electronics by 40.2% in the fourth quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 2,151 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $98,000 after buying an additional 617 shares during the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its stake in shares of Benchmark Electronics by 11.1% during the 4th quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 193,183 shares of the technology company's stock worth $8,771,000 after acquiring an additional 19,289 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Benchmark Electronics by 3.3% during the 4th quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 190,444 shares of the technology company's stock worth $8,646,000 after acquiring an additional 6,112 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Olympiad Research LP bought a new stake in Benchmark Electronics in the 4th quarter valued at $340,000. 92.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Jeff Benck sold 6,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $38.82, for a total transaction of $232,920.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 448,180 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,398,347.60. This trade represents a 1.32% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 2.20% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Benchmark Electronics Stock Performance

NYSE:BHE traded up $0.45 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $38.28. 246,673 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 320,978. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $35.94 and its 200 day simple moving average is $41.11. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.13 and a beta of 0.95. Benchmark Electronics, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $30.73 and a fifty-two week high of $52.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a quick ratio of 1.46 and a current ratio of 2.32.

Benchmark Electronics (NYSE:BHE - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The technology company reported $0.52 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.50 by $0.02. Benchmark Electronics had a return on equity of 6.68% and a net margin of 2.38%. The company had revenue of $631.76 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $640.00 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.55 earnings per share. The company's revenue was down 6.5% on a year-over-year basis.

Benchmark Electronics Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 11th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 30th will be given a $0.17 dividend. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.78%. Benchmark Electronics's payout ratio is 46.90%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Benchmark Electronics from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Lake Street Capital reduced their target price on shares of Benchmark Electronics from $52.00 to $46.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC lowered their price target on shares of Benchmark Electronics from $50.00 to $48.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 30th.

Benchmark Electronics Company Profile

Benchmark Electronics, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, offers product design, engineering services, technology solutions, and manufacturing services in the Americas, Asia, and Europe. The company provides engineering services and technology solutions, including new product design, prototype, testing, and related engineering services; and custom testing and technology solutions, as well as automation equipment design and build services.