MML Investors Services LLC Boosts Holdings in Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE)

MML Investors Services LLC boosted its stake in shares of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE - Free Report) by 3.0% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 56,330 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 1,657 shares during the quarter. MML Investors Services LLC's holdings in Intercontinental Exchange were worth $8,394,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Intercontinental Exchange in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,196,258,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in Intercontinental Exchange in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $406,728,000. Swedbank AB grew its stake in shares of Intercontinental Exchange by 2,293.3% in the fourth quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 2,215,767 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $330,171,000 after acquiring an additional 2,123,185 shares in the last quarter. AMF Tjanstepension AB increased its position in shares of Intercontinental Exchange by 1,237.7% during the fourth quarter. AMF Tjanstepension AB now owns 1,701,585 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $253,591,000 after acquiring an additional 1,574,386 shares during the period. Finally, Independent Franchise Partners LLP increased its position in shares of Intercontinental Exchange by 20.8% during the fourth quarter. Independent Franchise Partners LLP now owns 6,160,836 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $918,026,000 after acquiring an additional 1,062,904 shares during the period. 89.30% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Intercontinental Exchange Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:ICE traded up $1.23 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $164.71. The company had a trading volume of 453,537 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,917,995. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.99. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $166.39 and its 200 day moving average price is $160.45. Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $124.34 and a fifty-two week high of $177.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $94.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.10 and a beta of 1.09.

Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE:ICE - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The financial services provider reported $1.52 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.53 by ($0.01). Intercontinental Exchange had a return on equity of 12.95% and a net margin of 23.42%. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. will post 6.73 EPS for the current year.

Intercontinental Exchange Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 16th will be issued a dividend of $0.48 per share. This represents a $1.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.17%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 16th. Intercontinental Exchange's dividend payout ratio is presently 40.17%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ICE has been the subject of several analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an "outperform" rating and set a $200.00 target price on shares of Intercontinental Exchange in a research note on Tuesday, January 7th. Bank of America lowered their price objective on Intercontinental Exchange from $237.00 to $230.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of Intercontinental Exchange from $190.00 to $189.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 17th. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Intercontinental Exchange from $179.00 to $189.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, February 7th. Finally, UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of Intercontinental Exchange from $185.00 to $195.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, February 7th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $182.47.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, SVP Douglas Foley sold 10,580 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $166.47, for a total transaction of $1,761,252.60. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 21,992 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,661,008.24. The trade was a 32.48 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, insider Lynn C. Martin sold 4,155 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $165.60, for a total transaction of $688,068.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 57,376 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $9,501,465.60. This trade represents a 6.75 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 62,931 shares of company stock worth $10,492,868. Corporate insiders own 1.00% of the company's stock.

Intercontinental Exchange Profile

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of market infrastructure, data services, and technology solutions for financial institutions, corporations, and government entities in the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Singapore, India, Abu Dhabi, Israel, and Canada.