Analysts Set Oracle Co. (NYSE:ORCL) Target Price at $174.42

Shares of Oracle Co. (NYSE:ORCL - Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the twenty-nine analysts that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, fifteen have issued a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $174.42.

Several analysts recently commented on ORCL shares. Barclays cut their price objective on shares of Oracle from $212.00 to $202.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, March 11th. Monness Crespi & Hardt raised shares of Oracle from a "sell" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research report on Monday, March 3rd. Westpark Capital began coverage on shares of Oracle in a report on Tuesday, April 1st. They issued a "buy" rating and a $195.00 price objective for the company. Citigroup cut their target price on Oracle from $194.00 to $160.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, March 12th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald decreased their price target on Oracle from $214.00 to $175.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, March 11th.

Oracle Stock Up 1.3%

Shares of ORCL stock traded up $2.08 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $164.98. 4,003,343 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 9,492,842. The company's 50-day moving average price is $144.32 and its 200-day moving average price is $161.43. The company has a market cap of $461.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.33, a P/E/G ratio of 3.46 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.65. Oracle has a 12 month low of $114.55 and a 12 month high of $198.31.

Oracle (NYSE:ORCL - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, March 10th. The enterprise software provider reported $1.47 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.49 by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $14.13 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $14.40 billion. Oracle had a return on equity of 133.25% and a net margin of 21.16%. The business's quarterly revenue was up 6.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.41 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Oracle will post 5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Oracle Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 23rd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 10th were paid a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, April 10th. This is a boost from Oracle's previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.21%. Oracle's dividend payout ratio is 46.95%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Leon E. Panetta sold 5,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Friday, April 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.77, for a total value of $648,850.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 58,090 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $7,538,339.30. The trade was a 7.93% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Naomi O. Seligman sold 2,000 shares of Oracle stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $145.81, for a total transaction of $291,620.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 34,630 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,049,400.30. This represents a 5.46% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 27,366 shares of company stock worth $4,015,723 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 42.20% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Oracle

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of Oracle by 201.7% in the 4th quarter. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 1,599 shares of the enterprise software provider's stock worth $266,000 after buying an additional 1,069 shares in the last quarter. Crews Bank & Trust bought a new stake in Oracle during the fourth quarter worth approximately $1,800,000. Boston Trust Walden Corp raised its position in Oracle by 40.8% during the fourth quarter. Boston Trust Walden Corp now owns 564,030 shares of the enterprise software provider's stock valued at $93,990,000 after purchasing an additional 163,543 shares during the period. CENTRAL TRUST Co lifted its stake in shares of Oracle by 10.8% in the 4th quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 43,851 shares of the enterprise software provider's stock valued at $7,307,000 after purchasing an additional 4,259 shares during the last quarter. Finally, EQ Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Oracle during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $12,738,000. Institutional investors own 42.44% of the company's stock.

About Oracle

Oracle Corporation offers products and services that address enterprise information technology environments worldwide. Its Oracle cloud software as a service offering include various cloud software applications, including Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP), Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise performance management, Oracle Fusion cloud supply chain and manufacturing management, Oracle Fusion cloud human capital management, Oracle Cerner healthcare, Oracle Advertising, and NetSuite applications suite, as well as Oracle Fusion Sales, Service, and Marketing.