Quaker Houghton (NYSE:KWR) EVP Sells $106,557.87 in Stock

Key Points

• Insider sale: Quaker Houghton EVP Jeewat Bijlani sold 731 shares on May 26 at an average price of $145.77, generating about $106,558. After the transaction, he still held 6,748 shares valued at roughly $983,656.
• Quarterly results were mixed: The specialty chemicals company reported Q1 EPS of $1.63, slightly below analyst estimates, while revenue came in at $480.48 million, above expectations and up 8.5% year over year.
• Capital return and outlook: Quaker Houghton announced a $250 million share repurchase program and a quarterly dividend of $0.508 per share, while analysts currently have an average Hold rating and a $166 price target on the stock.

Quaker Houghton (NYSE:KWR - Get Free Report) EVP Jeewat Bijlani sold 731 shares of Quaker Houghton stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $145.77, for a total value of $106,557.87. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 6,748 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $983,655.96. This represents a 9.77% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link.

Quaker Houghton Price Performance

Quaker Houghton stock traded up $0.31 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $147.58. 126,673 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 164,488. The company has a market capitalization of $2.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 527.09, a P/E/G ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 1.42. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $132.98 and its 200-day simple moving average is $141.97. Quaker Houghton has a 1 year low of $103.36 and a 1 year high of $183.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a quick ratio of 1.72 and a current ratio of 2.45.

Quaker Houghton (NYSE:KWR - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 30th. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.63 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.66 by ($0.03). The company had revenue of $480.48 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $463.70 million. Quaker Houghton had a return on equity of 9.03% and a net margin of 0.22%.The company's revenue for the quarter was up 8.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.58 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Quaker Houghton will post 7.19 EPS for the current year.

Quaker Houghton Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 17th will be paid a $0.508 dividend. This represents a $2.03 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 17th. Quaker Houghton's payout ratio is currently 725.00%.

Quaker Houghton declared that its board has approved a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, May 13th that authorizes the company to buyback $250.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the specialty chemicals company to purchase up to 10.1% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are often a sign that the company's board believes its stock is undervalued.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts recently commented on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price target on Quaker Houghton from $151.00 to $157.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, May 4th. Weiss Ratings raised Quaker Houghton from a "sell (d)" rating to a "sell (d+)" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 6th. Wall Street Zen lowered Quaker Houghton from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Sunday, April 12th. Seaport Research Partners raised Quaker Houghton from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $175.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Friday, April 17th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price target on Quaker Houghton from $203.00 to $175.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 6th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $166.00.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Quaker Houghton

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in KWR. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of Quaker Houghton in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd acquired a new position in Quaker Houghton during the 3rd quarter worth $28,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in Quaker Houghton by 284.8% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 304 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 225 shares during the period. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its position in Quaker Houghton by 165.0% during the 4th quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 273 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 170 shares during the period. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Quaker Houghton by 87.1% in the third quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 348 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $46,000 after buying an additional 162 shares during the period. 77.46% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Quaker Houghton Company Profile

Quaker Houghton is a global provider of process fluids, chemical specialties and sustainable solutions for industrial applications. The company develops and supplies metalworking fluids, coatings, and corrosion inhibitors, as well as heat transfer, lubrication and additive products designed to improve productivity and extend equipment life. Its portfolio addresses a range of end markets including automotive, aerospace, defense, energy, mining, agriculture and heavy industry.

The company traces its roots back to the founding of Quaker Chemical Corporation in 1918 and Houghton International in 1865.

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