Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank Boosts Stock Position in The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (NYSE:IPG)

Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank increased its position in The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (NYSE:IPG - Free Report) by 505.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 495,934 shares of the business services provider's stock after buying an additional 413,994 shares during the period. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank owned about 0.13% of Interpublic Group of Companies worth $16,187,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. Compass Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Interpublic Group of Companies in the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Clear Street Markets LLC increased its holdings in Interpublic Group of Companies by 94.9% in the 1st quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC now owns 764 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 372 shares during the last quarter. Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Interpublic Group of Companies in the 4th quarter worth $29,000. Authentikos Wealth Advisory LLC bought a new position in shares of Interpublic Group of Companies during the 3rd quarter valued at about $33,000. Finally, Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Interpublic Group of Companies in the fourth quarter worth about $34,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 98.43% of the company's stock.

Interpublic Group of Companies Trading Up 1.1 %

NYSE:IPG traded up $0.33 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $30.72. 4,643,824 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,070,688. The company has a quick ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73. The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $27.20 and a 52 week high of $40.95. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.78, a PEG ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 1.13. The firm's 50 day moving average is $31.98 and its two-hundred day moving average is $31.26.

Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE:IPG - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The business services provider reported $1.18 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.16 by $0.02. Interpublic Group of Companies had a return on equity of 30.52% and a net margin of 10.09%. The firm had revenue of $2.59 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.57 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.02 earnings per share. The company's quarterly revenue was up 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. will post 2.78 earnings per share for the current year.

Interpublic Group of Companies Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 1st were given a dividend of $0.33 per share. This represents a $1.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.30%. This is an increase from Interpublic Group of Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 29th. Interpublic Group of Companies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 46.32%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts recently commented on IPG shares. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Interpublic Group of Companies from $31.00 to $32.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, February 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of Interpublic Group of Companies from $38.00 to $37.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 9th. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Interpublic Group of Companies from $35.00 to $36.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. Finally, UBS Group began coverage on shares of Interpublic Group of Companies in a report on Thursday, January 11th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $36.00 price target for the company. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Interpublic Group of Companies presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $35.25.

Insider Activity

In related news, CAO Christopher F. Carroll sold 18,382 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $32.20, for a total value of $591,900.40. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 42,390 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,364,958. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, CAO Christopher F. Carroll sold 18,382 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.20, for a total value of $591,900.40. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 42,390 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,364,958. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Philippe Krakowsky sold 150,403 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.20, for a total value of $4,842,976.60. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 415,776 shares in the company, valued at $13,387,987.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 249,646 shares of company stock valued at $8,038,601. 0.35% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Interpublic Group of Companies Company Profile

The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc provides advertising and marketing services worldwide. It operates in three segments: Media, Data & Engagement Solutions, Integrated Advertising & Creativity Led Solutions, and Specialized Communications & Experiential Solutions. The Media, Data & Engagement Solutions segment provides media and communications services, digital services and products, advertising and marketing technology, e-commerce services, data management and analytics, strategic consulting, and digital brand experience under the IPG Mediabrands, UM, Initiative, Kinesso, Acxiom, Huge, MRM, and R/GA brand names.