Graham Capital Management L.P. Purchases 34,453 Shares of Allegion plc (NYSE:ALLE)

Graham Capital Management L.P. increased its holdings in Allegion plc (NYSE:ALLE - Free Report) by 662.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 39,654 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after buying an additional 34,453 shares during the period. Graham Capital Management L.P.'s holdings in Allegion were worth $5,182,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Fiduciary Management Inc. WI purchased a new position in Allegion in the fourth quarter worth $116,484,000. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Allegion in the fourth quarter worth $108,058,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in Allegion in the 4th quarter worth $65,175,000. Boston Partners raised its position in Allegion by 11.6% in the 4th quarter. Boston Partners now owns 4,716,756 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $616,503,000 after purchasing an additional 488,390 shares during the period. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH raised its position in Allegion by 312.4% in the 4th quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 574,012 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $75,012,000 after purchasing an additional 434,820 shares during the period. 92.21% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Allegion Price Performance

Shares of ALLE traded up $0.23 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $144.03. The stock had a trading volume of 63,983 shares, compared to its average volume of 837,185. The firm has a market cap of $12.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.16, a PEG ratio of 3.97 and a beta of 1.02. Allegion plc has a 12 month low of $113.27 and a 12 month high of $156.10. The business has a fifty day moving average of $130.08 and a 200 day moving average of $132.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 1.43 and a current ratio of 2.04.

Allegion (NYSE:ALLE - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.86 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.68 by $0.18. Allegion had a net margin of 15.84% and a return on equity of 45.12%. The firm had revenue of $941.90 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $918.53 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.55 earnings per share. Allegion's revenue for the quarter was up 5.4% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that Allegion plc will post 7.77 EPS for the current year.

Allegion Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 13th will be paid a $0.51 dividend. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.42%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 13th. Allegion's dividend payout ratio is currently 28.65%.

Insider Activity

In other Allegion news, CAO Nickolas A. Musial sold 403 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $124.70, for a total transaction of $50,254.10. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 4,972 shares in the company, valued at $620,008.40. This represents a 7.50% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, SVP David S. Ilardi sold 789 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.28, for a total transaction of $98,845.92. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 9,625 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,205,820. The trade was a 7.58% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 3,224 shares of company stock valued at $406,636. 0.33% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on ALLE. StockNews.com lowered shares of Allegion from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, March 7th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of Allegion from $137.00 to $139.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 19th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Allegion from $126.00 to $128.00 and gave the company an "underweight" rating in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Allegion from $144.00 to $150.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Allegion from $140.00 to $135.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have assigned a hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $140.40.

About Allegion

Allegion plc manufactures and sells mechanical and electronic security products and solutions worldwide. The company offers door controls and systems and exit devices; locks, locksets, portable locks, and key systems and services; electronic security products and access control systems; time, attendance, and workforce productivity systems; doors, accessories, and other.