Baker Hughes (NASDAQ:BKR) Receives Average Rating of "Moderate Buy" from Analysts

Baker Hughes (NASDAQ:BKR - Get Free Report) has earned an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the fifteen ratings firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $41.00.

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Wolfe Research downgraded shares of Baker Hughes from an "outperform" rating to a "peer perform" rating in a research note on Monday, January 29th. Barclays cut their target price on shares of Baker Hughes from $43.00 to $42.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Citigroup cut their target price on shares of Baker Hughes from $42.00 to $41.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an "outperform" rating and issued a $39.00 target price on shares of Baker Hughes in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their target price on shares of Baker Hughes from $46.00 to $49.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, January 25th.

Baker Hughes Price Performance

Shares of Baker Hughes stock traded up $0.39 on Friday, hitting $34.31. The company's stock had a trading volume of 5,151,059 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,510,318. Baker Hughes has a 52-week low of $26.81 and a 52-week high of $37.58. The company has a quick ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $30.88 and a 200-day moving average price of $32.73. The company has a market capitalization of $34.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 1.42.

Baker Hughes (NASDAQ:BKR - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 24th. The company reported $0.51 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.47 by $0.04. Baker Hughes had a net margin of 7.62% and a return on equity of 10.63%. The business had revenue of $6.84 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.93 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.38 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 15.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts expect that Baker Hughes will post 2.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Baker Hughes Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 23rd. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 13th were given a dividend of $0.21 per share. This represents a $0.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.45%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 12th. This is an increase from Baker Hughes's previous quarterly dividend of $0.20. Baker Hughes's dividend payout ratio is 43.98%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP James E. Apostolides sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $29.44, for a total transaction of $294,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 14,451 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $425,437.44. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.24% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Baker Hughes

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Hall Laurie J Trustee purchased a new position in Baker Hughes in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC purchased a new position in shares of Baker Hughes during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Montag A & Associates Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Baker Hughes by 100.0% during the 4th quarter. Montag A & Associates Inc. now owns 1,000 shares of the company's stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 500 shares during the last quarter. OFI Invest Asset Management purchased a new position in shares of Baker Hughes during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Finally, Rise Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Baker Hughes by 817.9% during the 3rd quarter. Rise Advisors LLC now owns 1,129 shares of the company's stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 1,006 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.06% of the company's stock.

About Baker Hughes

Baker Hughes Company provides a portfolio of technologies and services to energy and industrial value chain worldwide. The company operates through Oilfield Services & Equipment (OFSE) and Industrial & Energy Technology (IET) segments. The OFSE segment designs and manufactures products and provides related services, including exploration, appraisal, development, production, rejuvenation, and decommissioning for onshore and offshore oilfield operations.