Schwartz Investment Counsel Inc. Has $9.63 Million Holdings in Allegion plc (NYSE:ALLE)

Schwartz Investment Counsel Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Allegion plc (NYSE:ALLE - Free Report) by 102.7% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 76,000 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock after buying an additional 38,500 shares during the quarter. Schwartz Investment Counsel Inc. owned 0.09% of Allegion worth $9,628,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. CVA Family Office LLC purchased a new stake in Allegion during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Compass Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Allegion during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Benjamin Edwards Inc. increased its holdings in Allegion by 123.1% during the 2nd quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 261 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 144 shares during the last quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Allegion by 153.3% in the 3rd quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC now owns 380 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 230 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Headinvest LLC bought a new stake in shares of Allegion in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $48,000. 92.21% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Allegion Stock Performance

NYSE:ALLE traded up $1.07 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $133.94. 336,703 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 738,410. Allegion plc has a twelve month low of $95.94 and a twelve month high of $136.91. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.77 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 1.26 and a quick ratio of 0.85. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $130.88 and a 200 day moving average price of $117.79.

Allegion (NYSE:ALLE - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 20th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.59 by $0.09. Allegion had a return on equity of 51.95% and a net margin of 14.80%. The business had revenue of $897.40 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $904.17 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.60 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 4.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect that Allegion plc will post 7.01 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Allegion Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th were given a dividend of $0.48 per share. This represents a $1.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.43%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 14th. This is a positive change from Allegion's previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. Allegion's payout ratio is 31.37%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Barclays boosted their price target on Allegion from $121.00 to $122.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company downgraded Allegion from an "overweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating and boosted their price target for the company from $139.00 to $140.00 in a report on Wednesday, February 21st. Finally, Mizuho downgraded Allegion from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and boosted their price target for the company from $140.00 to $141.00 in a report on Friday, February 23rd. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Allegion currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $125.67.

Insider Activity at Allegion

In other Allegion news, VP Timothy P. Eckersley sold 5,047 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.99, for a total value of $656,059.53. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 35,567 shares in the company, valued at $4,623,354.33. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, VP Timothy P. Eckersley sold 5,047 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.99, for a total transaction of $656,059.53. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 35,567 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,623,354.33. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO John H. Stone purchased 10,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were bought at an average price of $132.41 per share, with a total value of $1,324,100.00. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now owns 104,248 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,803,477.68. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 0.90% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Allegion Profile

Allegion plc manufactures and sells mechanical and electronic security products and solutions worldwide. The company offers door controls and systems and exit devices; locks, locksets, portable locks, and key systems and services; electronic security products and access control systems; time, attendance, and workforce productivity systems; doors, accessories, and other.