Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA) Stock Rating Reaffirmed by Benchmark

Benchmark restated their buy rating on shares of Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA - Free Report) in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a $55.00 target price on the cable giant's stock.

A number of other equities analysts also recently commented on the stock. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Comcast from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, March 22nd. Redburn Atlantic downgraded Comcast from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $50.00 to $44.00 in a report on Thursday, February 15th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their target price on Comcast from $55.00 to $53.00 in a research note on Friday, April 5th. Citigroup increased their price target on shares of Comcast from $51.00 to $53.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of Comcast from $50.00 to $47.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, April 5th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $49.50.

Comcast Stock Down 1.1 %

CMCSA stock traded down $0.43 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $39.72. The company's stock had a trading volume of 22,366,728 shares, compared to its average volume of 20,579,785. Comcast has a 52-week low of $36.38 and a 52-week high of $47.46. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $42.43 and a 200-day simple moving average of $42.94. The company has a quick ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14. The firm has a market capitalization of $157.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.68, a PEG ratio of 0.99 and a beta of 0.98.

Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The cable giant reported $0.84 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.80 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $31.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $30.41 billion. Comcast had a return on equity of 19.75% and a net margin of 12.66%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Comcast will post 4.23 EPS for the current year.

Comcast Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 24th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 3rd will be paid a $0.31 dividend. This is a boost from Comcast's previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.12%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, April 2nd. Comcast's payout ratio is currently 33.33%.

Insider Transactions at Comcast

In other news, President Michael J. Cavanagh sold 114,749 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.10, for a total transaction of $5,289,928.90. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 1.18% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Comcast

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Greenwich Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Comcast by 2.6% during the 4th quarter. Greenwich Wealth Management LLC now owns 8,492 shares of the cable giant's stock valued at $372,000 after buying an additional 219 shares during the period. Legend Financial Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in Comcast by 17.5% during the fourth quarter. Legend Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 1,478 shares of the cable giant's stock worth $65,000 after purchasing an additional 220 shares in the last quarter. Beaumont Asset Management L.L.C. lifted its position in Comcast by 1.6% in the fourth quarter. Beaumont Asset Management L.L.C. now owns 14,141 shares of the cable giant's stock worth $620,000 after purchasing an additional 226 shares during the period. Keystone Financial Services boosted its stake in Comcast by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. Keystone Financial Services now owns 20,432 shares of the cable giant's stock valued at $896,000 after purchasing an additional 229 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Comcast by 0.7% during the 3rd quarter. Capital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 34,950 shares of the cable giant's stock valued at $1,550,000 after purchasing an additional 238 shares during the period. 84.32% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Comcast Company Profile

Comcast Corporation operates as a media and technology company worldwide. It operates through Residential Connectivity & Platforms, Business Services Connectivity, Media, Studios, and Theme Parks segments. The Residential Connectivity & Platforms segment provides residential broadband and wireless connectivity services, residential and business video services, sky-branded entertainment television networks, and advertising.