Ceredex Value Advisors LLC Has $65.35 Million Stock Holdings in Raymond James (NYSE:RJF)

Ceredex Value Advisors LLC reduced its holdings in shares of Raymond James (NYSE:RJF - Free Report) by 24.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 583,877 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 184,169 shares during the period. Ceredex Value Advisors LLC owned approximately 0.28% of Raymond James worth $65,352,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. American Century Companies Inc. grew its position in Raymond James by 26.0% during the 3rd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 165,966 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $16,668,000 after purchasing an additional 34,200 shares during the last quarter. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise lifted its stake in shares of Raymond James by 13.3% in the 3rd quarter. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise now owns 2,718 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $273,000 after acquiring an additional 318 shares during the period. Operose Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Raymond James by 241.3% in the 3rd quarter. Operose Advisors LLC now owns 1,024 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $103,000 after acquiring an additional 724 shares during the period. First Foundation Advisors acquired a new stake in shares of Raymond James in the 3rd quarter worth $1,090,000. Finally, Comerica Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Raymond James in the 2nd quarter worth $38,099,000. 83.83% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Raymond James Trading Up 0.7 %

Shares of NYSE RJF traded up $0.88 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $128.29. 730,537 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 905,591. The company has a market capitalization of $26.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.08, a P/E/G ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 1.05. Raymond James has a 52-week low of $82.00 and a 52-week high of $131.19. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $119.87 and a 200-day moving average price of $110.05.

Raymond James (NYSE:RJF - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The financial services provider reported $2.40 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.25 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $3.01 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.01 billion. Raymond James had a net margin of 12.81% and a return on equity of 17.95%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 8.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.29 earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that Raymond James will post 9.28 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Raymond James Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.45 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 28th. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.40%. Raymond James's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.56%.

Insider Transactions at Raymond James

In related news, Director Art A. Garcia bought 879 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 9th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $112.30 per share, for a total transaction of $98,711.70. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 879 shares in the company, valued at $98,711.70. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Jonathan N. Santelli sold 1,891 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $111.91, for a total value of $211,621.81. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 21,491 shares in the company, valued at $2,405,057.81. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Art A. Garcia bought 879 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 9th. The stock was bought at an average price of $112.30 per share, with a total value of $98,711.70. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 879 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $98,711.70. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders own 9.74% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently commented on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a "hold" rating and issued a $117.00 price objective (up previously from $112.00) on shares of Raymond James in a research note on Tuesday, January 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Raymond James from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and raised their price objective for the company from $110.00 to $135.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of Raymond James from $106.00 to $113.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Monday, January 29th. UBS Group cut their target price on shares of Raymond James from $116.00 to $115.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Raymond James from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, February 9th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $120.50.

About Raymond James

Raymond James Financial, Inc, a financial holding company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the underwriting, distribution, trading, and brokerage of equity and debt securities, and the sale of mutual funds and other investment products in the United States, Canada, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through Private Client Group, Capital Markets, Asset Management, RJ Bank, and Other segments.