Cerity Partners LLC Purchases 3,027 Shares of Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK)

Cerity Partners LLC grew its position in Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK - Free Report) by 17.8% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 19,988 shares of the industrial products company's stock after purchasing an additional 3,027 shares during the period. Cerity Partners LLC's holdings in Rockwell Automation were worth $6,206,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Cohen Lawrence B increased its position in shares of Rockwell Automation by 0.5% during the third quarter. Cohen Lawrence B now owns 8,319 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $2,378,000 after acquiring an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Rockwell Automation by 24.2% during the third quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 195 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $56,000 after acquiring an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Cottage Street Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Rockwell Automation by 3.8% during the fourth quarter. Cottage Street Advisors LLC now owns 1,038 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $319,000 after acquiring an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. XML Financial LLC increased its position in shares of Rockwell Automation by 2.7% during the third quarter. XML Financial LLC now owns 1,549 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $443,000 after acquiring an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Harfst & Associates Inc. increased its position in shares of Rockwell Automation by 3.6% during the third quarter. Harfst & Associates Inc. now owns 1,160 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $332,000 after acquiring an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. 75.75% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Rockwell Automation Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE ROK traded down $4.48 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $281.42. 1,094,667 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,036,538. The company's 50-day simple moving average is $283.05 and its 200-day simple moving average is $284.38. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. The stock has a market capitalization of $32.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.78, a P/E/G ratio of 2.86 and a beta of 1.43. Rockwell Automation, Inc. has a twelve month low of $252.11 and a twelve month high of $348.52.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The industrial products company reported $2.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $2.62 by ($0.58). The company had revenue of $2.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.08 billion. Rockwell Automation had a return on equity of 37.22% and a net margin of 13.35%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.46 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Rockwell Automation, Inc. will post 12.03 earnings per share for the current year.

Rockwell Automation Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 13th will be paid a $1.25 dividend. This represents a $5.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.78%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 10th. Rockwell Automation's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 47.57%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Rockwell Automation news, VP Isaac Woods sold 150 shares of Rockwell Automation stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $287.59, for a total value of $43,138.50. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 1,199 shares in the company, valued at approximately $344,820.41. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other Rockwell Automation news, VP Isaac Woods sold 150 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $287.59, for a total value of $43,138.50. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 1,199 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $344,820.41. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Blake D. Moret bought 3,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $283.64 per share, for a total transaction of $992,740.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 77,215 shares in the company, valued at $21,901,262.60. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders sold 17,877 shares of company stock worth $5,058,772 in the last quarter. 0.68% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently weighed in on ROK. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed an "underweight" rating and issued a $254.00 target price on shares of Rockwell Automation in a research report on Thursday, March 21st. Berenberg Bank reaffirmed a "hold" rating and issued a $290.00 target price (down previously from $330.00) on shares of Rockwell Automation in a research report on Wednesday, March 6th. Citigroup decreased their target price on shares of Rockwell Automation from $330.00 to $322.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 8th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of Rockwell Automation from $357.00 to $320.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. Finally, Oppenheimer decreased their target price on shares of Rockwell Automation from $324.00 to $300.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Rockwell Automation currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $310.08.

Rockwell Automation Profile

Rockwell Automation, Inc provides industrial automation and digital transformation solutions in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company operates through three segments, Intelligent Devices, Software & Control, and Lifecycle Services. Its solutions include hardware and software products and services.