MetLife Investment Management LLC Increases Stock Position in Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. (NYSE:SSD)

MetLife Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. (NYSE:SSD - Free Report) by 9.0% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 23,947 shares of the construction company's stock after buying an additional 1,970 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC owned about 0.06% of Simpson Manufacturing worth $3,971,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Park Place Capital Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Simpson Manufacturing during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $29,000. World Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Simpson Manufacturing in the third quarter valued at $30,000. R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Simpson Manufacturing in the fourth quarter valued at $30,000. UMB Bank n.a. raised its stake in shares of Simpson Manufacturing by 88.2% during the 4th quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 207 shares of the construction company's stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. Finally, V Square Quantitative Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Simpson Manufacturing by 53.4% in the 4th quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 273 shares of the construction company's stock worth $45,000 after buying an additional 95 shares in the last quarter. 93.68% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Simpson Manufacturing Price Performance

Shares of SSD traded up $0.62 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $154.31. 19,932 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 273,113. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.48 billion, a PE ratio of 20.36 and a beta of 1.33. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $155.17 and a 200 day simple moving average of $168.66. Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $137.35 and a fifty-two week high of $197.82. The company has a quick ratio of 1.59, a current ratio of 3.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20.

Simpson Manufacturing (NYSE:SSD - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 28th. The construction company reported $1.85 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.71 by $0.14. The company had revenue of $538.90 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $531.81 million. Simpson Manufacturing had a net margin of 14.44% and a return on equity of 18.00%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 1.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.77 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. will post 8.29 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Simpson Manufacturing Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 24th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, April 3rd were issued a $0.28 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, April 3rd. This represents a $1.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.73%. Simpson Manufacturing's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 14.58%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Simpson Manufacturing news, EVP Michael Andersen sold 1,000 shares of Simpson Manufacturing stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $169.98, for a total value of $169,980.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 8,810 shares in the company, valued at $1,497,523.80. The trade was a 10.19 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.39% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. DA Davidson dropped their target price on shares of Simpson Manufacturing from $195.00 to $185.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, March 11th. Robert W. Baird cut their price objective on Simpson Manufacturing from $196.00 to $192.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 11th.

About Simpson Manufacturing

Simpson Manufacturing Co, Inc, through its subsidiaries, designs, engineers, manufactures, and sells structural solutions for wood, concrete, and steel connections. The company offers wood construction products, including connectors, truss plates, fastening systems, fasteners and shearwalls, and pre-fabricated lateral systems for use in light-frame construction; and concrete construction products comprising adhesives, specialty chemicals, mechanical anchors, carbide drill bits, powder actuated tools, fiber-reinforced materials, and other repair products for use in concrete, masonry, and steel construction, as well as grouts, coatings, sealers, mortars, fiberglass and fiber-reinforced polymer systems, and asphalt products for use in concrete construction repair, and strengthening and protection products.