Vident Advisory LLC Takes Position in The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX)

Vident Advisory LLC purchased a new position in The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 2,810 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $456,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Redwood Park Advisors LLC bought a new position in Clorox in the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Millstone Evans Group LLC purchased a new stake in Clorox in the 4th quarter worth $31,000. Asset Planning Inc purchased a new stake in Clorox in the 4th quarter worth $32,000. GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. purchased a new stake in Clorox in the 4th quarter worth $32,000. Finally, Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd purchased a new stake in Clorox in the 4th quarter worth $33,000. 78.53% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Clorox Trading Up 0.6%

NYSE:CLX traded up $0.77 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $131.76. 2,492,592 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,341,934. The stock has a market capitalization of $16.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.00, a PEG ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.60. The Clorox Company has a 52 week low of $129.19 and a 52 week high of $171.37. The firm's 50 day moving average is $138.30 and its two-hundred day moving average is $151.04. The company has a quick ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.52.

Clorox (NYSE:CLX - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 5th. The company reported $1.45 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.57 by ($0.12). The firm had revenue of $1.67 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.74 billion. Clorox had a net margin of 6.38% and a return on equity of 316.87%. The business's revenue for the quarter was down 8.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.71 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that The Clorox Company will post 7.15 earnings per share for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have commented on CLX shares. Citigroup decreased their price target on shares of Clorox from $165.00 to $150.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 14th. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Clorox from $134.00 to $129.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Clorox from $145.00 to $142.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. UBS Group decreased their price target on shares of Clorox from $176.00 to $154.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 17th. Finally, DA Davidson decreased their target price on shares of Clorox from $171.00 to $169.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 5th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $151.23.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Pierre R. Breber bought 4,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 7th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $136.57 per share, for a total transaction of $546,280.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 4,000 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $546,280. The trade was a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Insiders own 0.57% of the company's stock.

Clorox Company Profile

The Clorox Company manufactures and markets consumer and professional products worldwide. It operates through four segments: Health and Wellness, Household, Lifestyle, and International. The Health and Wellness segment offers cleaning products, such as laundry additives and home care products primarily under the Clorox, Clorox2, Scentiva, Pine-Sol, Liquid-Plumr, Tilex, and Formula 409 brands; professional cleaning and disinfecting products under the CloroxPro and Clorox Healthcare brands; professional food service products under the Hidden Valley brand; and vitamins, minerals and supplement products under the RenewLife, Natural Vitality, NeoCell, and Rainbow Light brands in the United States.