Axcelis Technologies (NASDAQ:ACLS) Reaches New 1-Year Low at $104.39

Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACLS - Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week low on Thursday . The company traded as low as $104.39 and last traded at $104.92, with a volume of 319803 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $107.06.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ACLS has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. B. Riley lowered their price objective on Axcelis Technologies from $180.00 to $165.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 9th. Bank of America lowered Axcelis Technologies from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, December 15th. Finally, B. Riley Financial lowered their price objective on Axcelis Technologies from $180.00 to $165.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 9th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Axcelis Technologies has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $189.00.

Axcelis Technologies Stock Performance

The stock's 50-day moving average price is $116.25 and its 200-day moving average price is $130.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a quick ratio of 2.71 and a current ratio of 3.79. The company has a market capitalization of $3.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.06, a P/E/G ratio of 2.30 and a beta of 1.63.

Axcelis Technologies (NASDAQ:ACLS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 8th. The semiconductor company reported $2.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.98 by $0.17. Axcelis Technologies had a return on equity of 31.66% and a net margin of 21.78%. The firm had revenue of $310.29 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $297.92 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.71 EPS. The company's quarterly revenue was up 16.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Axcelis Technologies, Inc. will post 6.88 earnings per share for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Douglas A. Lawson bought 500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $111.04 per share, with a total value of $55,520.00. Following the purchase, the executive vice president now owns 19,648 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,181,713.92. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 1.43% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Axcelis Technologies

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. grew its stake in shares of Axcelis Technologies by 74.7% during the 3rd quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 152 shares of the semiconductor company's stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 65 shares during the period. Rakuten Securities Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Axcelis Technologies during the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. NBC Securities Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Axcelis Technologies during the 3rd quarter valued at $28,000. Money Concepts Capital Corp purchased a new stake in Axcelis Technologies during the 4th quarter worth $30,000. Finally, Bessemer Group Inc. boosted its position in Axcelis Technologies by 27.5% during the 4th quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 389 shares of the semiconductor company's stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares during the period. 89.98% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Axcelis Technologies

Axcelis Technologies, Inc designs, manufactures, and services ion implantation and other processing equipment used in the fabrication of semiconductor chips in the United States, Europe, and Asia Pacific. The company offers high energy, high current, and medium current implanters for various application requirements.