Brookfield Business Partners (NYSE:BBU) Stock Price Up 3%

Shares of Brookfield Business Partners L.P. (NYSE:BBU - Get Free Report) were up 3% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $20.08 and last traded at $20.08. Approximately 355 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 98% from the average daily volume of 16,125 shares. The stock had previously closed at $19.50.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on BBU shares. National Bankshares upped their target price on Brookfield Business Partners from $33.00 to $34.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, February 5th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on Brookfield Business Partners from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Scotiabank increased their price target on Brookfield Business Partners from $26.50 to $28.00 and gave the stock a "sector outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Desjardins increased their price target on Brookfield Business Partners from $31.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Finally, TheStreet lowered Brookfield Business Partners from a "c" rating to a "d+" rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 13th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $29.67.

Brookfield Business Partners Trading Up 1.1 %

The firm has a market capitalization of $1.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.04 and a beta of 1.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.22, a quick ratio of 0.78 and a current ratio of 1.04. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $21.86 and a 200 day moving average price of $18.75.

Brookfield Business Partners (NYSE:BBU - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 2nd. The business services provider reported $6.57 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.90 by $5.67. The business had revenue of $13.41 billion during the quarter. Brookfield Business Partners had a return on equity of 21.74% and a net margin of 6.86%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.49 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Brookfield Business Partners L.P. will post 3.95 earnings per share for the current year.

Brookfield Business Partners Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 29th were issued a dividend of $0.0625 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 28th. This represents a $0.25 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.27%. Brookfield Business Partners's payout ratio is 3.85%.

Institutional Trading of Brookfield Business Partners

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC acquired a new stake in Brookfield Business Partners in the 2nd quarter valued at $40,000. UBS Group AG increased its holdings in Brookfield Business Partners by 31.5% in the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 6,133 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $189,000 after purchasing an additional 1,468 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE increased its holdings in Brookfield Business Partners by 365.7% in the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 8,163 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $250,000 after purchasing an additional 6,410 shares in the last quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Brookfield Business Partners in the 2nd quarter valued at $323,000. Finally, Gold Investment Management Ltd. acquired a new stake in Brookfield Business Partners in the 4th quarter valued at $618,000. 85.04% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Brookfield Business Partners

Brookfield Business Partners L.P. is a private equity firm specializing in acquisition. The firm typically invests in business services, infrastructure services, construction, energy, and industrials sector. It prefers to take majority stake in companies. The firm seeks returns of at least 15% on its investments.