UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC Increases Stock Holdings in Whirlpool Co. (NYSE:WHR)

UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Whirlpool Co. (NYSE:WHR - Free Report) by 13.5% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 186,923 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 22,171 shares during the period. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC owned 0.34% of Whirlpool worth $21,399,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. FMR LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Whirlpool by 57.3% during the fourth quarter. FMR LLC now owns 1,808,744 shares of the company's stock worth $207,065,000 after purchasing an additional 659,014 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Whirlpool during the fourth quarter worth $73,468,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Whirlpool during the fourth quarter worth $34,719,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in shares of Whirlpool by 19.6% during the fourth quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,373,215 shares of the company's stock worth $157,205,000 after purchasing an additional 224,990 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Whirlpool by 54.0% during the fourth quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 636,937 shares of the company's stock worth $72,917,000 after purchasing an additional 223,232 shares during the period. 90.78% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Wall Street Zen downgraded Whirlpool from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Friday, April 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on Whirlpool from $109.00 to $89.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 28th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Whirlpool presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $101.00.

Whirlpool Price Performance

Whirlpool stock traded down $0.43 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $78.19. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,243,695 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,028,454. Whirlpool Co. has a fifty-two week low of $73.72 and a fifty-two week high of $135.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62, a quick ratio of 0.44 and a current ratio of 0.72. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $81.07 and its 200 day simple moving average is $100.07. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.35 billion, a PE ratio of -13.34 and a beta of 1.20.

Whirlpool (NYSE:WHR - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The company reported $1.70 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.67 by $0.03. Whirlpool had a positive return on equity of 21.89% and a negative net margin of 1.95%. The company had revenue of $3.62 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.67 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.78 earnings per share. Whirlpool's quarterly revenue was down 19.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Whirlpool Co. will post 9.52 earnings per share for the current year.

Whirlpool Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, June 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 16th will be given a $1.75 dividend. This represents a $7.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.95%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 16th. Whirlpool's dividend payout ratio is currently 5,000.00%.

Whirlpool Company Profile

Whirlpool Corporation manufactures and markets home appliances and related products and services in the North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Asia. The company's principal products include refrigerators, freezers, ice makers, and refrigerator water filters; laundry appliances, and commercial laundry products and related laundry accessories; cooking and other small domestic appliances; and dishwasher appliances and related accessories, as well as mixers.