Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC Boosts Holdings in Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK)

Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC lifted its position in Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK - Free Report) by 191.6% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 29,824 shares of the industrial products company's stock after acquiring an additional 19,597 shares during the period. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC's holdings in Rockwell Automation were worth $8,523,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in ROK. West Oak Capital LLC grew its holdings in shares of Rockwell Automation by 455.6% during the fourth quarter. West Oak Capital LLC now owns 100 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust purchased a new stake in Rockwell Automation during the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in Rockwell Automation in the 4th quarter valued at about $35,000. Flagship Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Rockwell Automation in the 4th quarter valued at about $38,000. Finally, Knuff & Co LLC lifted its stake in Rockwell Automation by 41.0% in the 4th quarter. Knuff & Co LLC now owns 141 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 41 shares in the last quarter. 75.75% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the company. Stephens raised Rockwell Automation from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and increased their price target for the company from $275.00 to $350.00 in a report on Thursday, January 16th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Rockwell Automation from $335.00 to $345.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Citigroup lowered their price target on shares of Rockwell Automation from $350.00 to $283.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 14th. Barclays cut their price objective on shares of Rockwell Automation from $280.00 to $260.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 10th. Finally, KeyCorp decreased their target price on shares of Rockwell Automation from $345.00 to $275.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Rockwell Automation presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $297.11.

Insider Activity

In related news, VP Isaac Woods sold 876 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $284.03, for a total value of $248,810.28. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 1,057 shares of the company's stock, valued at $300,219.71. This represents a 45.32 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Matheus De A. G. Viera Bulho sold 293 shares of Rockwell Automation stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $257.68, for a total value of $75,500.24. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 1,922 shares of the company's stock, valued at $495,260.96. This trade represents a 13.23 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 3,750 shares of company stock worth $1,075,923. Corporate insiders own 0.68% of the company's stock.

Rockwell Automation Trading Up 0.7 %

Rockwell Automation stock traded up $1.83 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $249.51. 775,290 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 871,002. The firm has a market cap of $28.21 billion, a PE ratio of 31.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.53 and a beta of 1.39. The company has a current ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $254.03 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $273.90. Rockwell Automation, Inc. has a 12-month low of $215.00 and a 12-month high of $308.70.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 10th. The industrial products company reported $1.83 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.61 by $0.22. Rockwell Automation had a net margin of 11.38% and a return on equity of 30.17%. Research analysts expect that Rockwell Automation, Inc. will post 9.35 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Rockwell Automation Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 19th will be paid a $1.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, May 19th. This represents a $5.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.10%. Rockwell Automation's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 65.26%.

Rockwell Automation Profile

Rockwell Automation, Inc provides industrial automation and digital transformation solutions in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company operates through three segments, Intelligent Devices, Software & Control, and Lifecycle Services. Its solutions include hardware and software products and services.