Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) Shares Up 0.5% - What's Next?

Oracle Co. (NYSE:ORCL - Get Free Report)'s share price rose 0.5% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $140.58 and last traded at $139.19. Approximately 1,295,046 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 86% from the average daily volume of 9,341,845 shares. The stock had previously closed at $138.49.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ORCL has been the topic of several research reports. Barclays lowered 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. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on Oracle from $205.00 to $175.00 and set a "market perform" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, March 11th. Mizuho reduced their price target on shares of Oracle from $210.00 to $180.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Royal Bank of Canada set a $145.00 target price on Oracle and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 11th. Finally, JMP Securities reaffirmed a "market outperform" rating and issued a $205.00 target price on shares of Oracle in a research report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Fourteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fifteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Oracle currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $174.42.

Oracle Price Performance

The company has a current ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.65. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $145.01 and a 200-day moving average of $164.44. The stock has a market capitalization of $384.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.46 and a beta of 1.22.

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

Oracle Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 23rd. Investors of record on Thursday, April 10th were issued a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.46%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, April 10th. This is a boost from Oracle's previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. Oracle's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 46.95%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Naomi O. Seligman sold 2,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $145.81, for a total value of $291,620.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 34,630 shares of the company's stock, valued at $5,049,400.30. This represents a 5.46 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Leon E. Panetta sold 5,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.77, for a total value of $648,850.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 58,090 shares of the company's stock, valued at $7,538,339.30. The trade was a 7.93 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 42.20% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Oracle

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Oracle during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Redmont Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Oracle in the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. Inlight Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Oracle during the first quarter worth about $28,000. Sunbeam Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Oracle in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, Winch Advisory Services LLC increased its stake in Oracle by 89.7% during the 4th quarter. Winch Advisory Services LLC now owns 184 shares of the enterprise software provider's stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 87 shares during the period. 42.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.