Ford Motor (NYSE:F) Trading Down 1.2% - Here's What Happened

Key Points

• Shares fell 1.2% to about $11.65 during mid-day trading with roughly 46.8 million shares changing hands—about 31% below the stock's average daily volume.
• Q4 results beat estimates (EPS $0.13 vs. $0.06; revenue $45.89B vs. $41.78B) but Ford still shows a negative net margin and a negative P/E (-5.65), reflecting mixed fundamental signals.
• Analysts have a consensus "Hold" rating with a $13.29 price target (Bank of America initiated a Buy with a $17 target), and insider William Clay Ford Jr. recently bought 140,000 shares at an average price of $13.82.

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F - Get Free Report) shares dropped 1.2% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $11.48 and last traded at $11.6450. Approximately 46,828,759 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 31% from the average daily volume of 68,073,961 shares. The stock had previously closed at $11.79.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have recently commented on F shares. Bank of America began coverage on shares of Ford Motor in a research report on Wednesday, March 4th. They set a "buy" rating and a $17.00 price objective for the company. TD Cowen increased their target price on shares of Ford Motor from $13.00 to $15.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. Weiss Ratings restated a "buy (b-)" rating on shares of Ford Motor in a report on Monday, December 22nd. UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Ford Motor from $12.50 to $15.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 14th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a "sector perform" rating and set a $12.00 price objective on shares of Ford Motor in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Ford Motor presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $13.29.

Ford Motor Price Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $46.46 billion, a P/E ratio of -5.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.28 and a beta of 1.65. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $13.45 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $12.93. The company has a quick ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.95.

Ford Motor (NYSE:F - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 11th. The auto manufacturer reported $0.13 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.06 by $0.07. Ford Motor had a negative net margin of 4.37% and a positive return on equity of 10.16%. The company had revenue of $45.89 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $41.78 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.39 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was down 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Ford Motor Company will post 1.47 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Ford Motor Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 13th were issued a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.2%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 13th. Ford Motor's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -29.13%.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider William Clay Ford, Jr. purchased 140,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 19th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $13.82 per share, for a total transaction of $1,934,800.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider owned 3,912,600 shares of the company's stock, valued at $54,072,132. This represents a 3.71% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.48% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Ford Motor

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust boosted its holdings in Ford Motor by 7.4% during the fourth quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 10,999 shares of the auto manufacturer's stock worth $144,000 after purchasing an additional 756 shares during the last quarter. Robertson Stephens Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Ford Motor by 1.8% during the 4th quarter. Robertson Stephens Wealth Management LLC now owns 42,683 shares of the auto manufacturer's stock worth $560,000 after buying an additional 761 shares in the last quarter. CRA Financial Services LLC lifted its position in shares of Ford Motor by 4.4% during the 4th quarter. CRA Financial Services LLC now owns 18,327 shares of the auto manufacturer's stock worth $240,000 after buying an additional 775 shares in the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC boosted its stake in shares of Ford Motor by 16.5% in the 3rd quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 5,470 shares of the auto manufacturer's stock worth $65,000 after buying an additional 776 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of Ford Motor by 7.2% in the fourth quarter. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC now owns 11,697 shares of the auto manufacturer's stock valued at $153,000 after acquiring an additional 784 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 58.74% of the company's stock.

About Ford Motor

Ford Motor Company NYSE: F is an American multinational automaker headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan. Founded by Henry Ford in 1903, the company became an early pioneer of mass-production techniques with the Model T and the adoption of the moving assembly line. Today, Ford designs, manufactures, markets and services a broad range of vehicles and mobility solutions under the Ford and Lincoln brands, spanning passenger cars, SUVs, pickup trucks and commercial vehicles.

Ford's business activities extend beyond vehicle production to include parts and aftermarket services, fleet and commercial sales, and automotive financing through Ford Motor Credit Company.

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