XML Financial LLC Buys 5,551 Shares of Danaher Corporation $DHR

Key Points

• XML Financial increased its Danaher stake by 459.9% in the third quarter, adding 5,551 shares to hold 6,758 shares worth about $1.5 million.
• Danaher reported quarterly earnings of $2.11 per share, beating estimates of $1.92, while revenue of $6.55 billion was slightly below expectations; revenue rose 8.3% year over year.
• Analysts gave Danaher a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating with an average price target of $242.91. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.05% of the stock.

XML Financial LLC grew its stake in Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR - Free Report) by 459.9% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 6,758 shares of the conglomerate's stock after acquiring an additional 5,551 shares during the quarter. XML Financial LLC's holdings in Danaher were worth $1,497,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. BlackRock Inc. bought a new stake in Danaher in the second quarter valued at approximately $10,492,520,000. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in shares of Danaher by 10.4% during the second quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 16,316,834 shares of the conglomerate's stock worth $3,108,031,000 after purchasing an additional 1,542,310 shares in the last quarter. Jupiter Topco LLC bought a new position in shares of Danaher during the second quarter worth $1,456,317,000. Generation Investment Management LLP bought a new position in shares of Danaher during the second quarter worth $1,287,949,000. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE acquired a new position in shares of Danaher in the 2nd quarter valued at $993,846,000. 79.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Danaher Stock Up 0.9%

Danaher stock opened at $229.99 on Wednesday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $219.38 and a 200-day moving average of $201.70. The company has a quick ratio of 1.29, a current ratio of 1.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45. Danaher Corporation has a twelve month low of $160.93 and a twelve month high of $242.80. The stock has a market capitalization of $161.80 billion, a PE ratio of 37.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.86 and a beta of 0.76.

Danaher (NYSE:DHR - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 21st. The conglomerate reported $2.11 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.92 by $0.19. The business had revenue of $6.55 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.56 billion. Danaher had a net margin of 16.91% and a return on equity of 11.17%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 8.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.89 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Danaher Corporation will post 8.59 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Danaher Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 30th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, September 30th were issued a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, September 30th. Danaher's dividend payout ratio is 26.19%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently commented on DHR shares. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Danaher from $220.00 to $240.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, October 12th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Danaher from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "hold (c)" rating in a report on Wednesday, September 16th. Barclays lifted their target price on Danaher from $255.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, October 22nd. Guggenheim boosted their target price on Danaher from $200.00 to $250.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, October 1st. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on Danaher from $220.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, October 22nd. Eighteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $242.91.

Insider Transactions at Danaher

In other Danaher news, CAO Christopher Bouda sold 7,598 shares of Danaher stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $234.56, for a total value of $1,782,186.88. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 9,107 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,136,137.92. This trade represents a 45.48% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 10.80% of the company's stock.

Danaher Company Profile

Danaher Corporation NYSE: DHR is a global science and technology company that develops products, services and solutions for the life sciences, biotechnology and diagnostics markets. Its offerings help researchers, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, healthcare providers and other organizations conduct scientific research, develop and manufacture medicines, and diagnose disease.

The company operates through businesses that provide bioprocessing equipment and technologies, laboratory instruments, consumables, analytical tools and clinical diagnostic systems.

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