Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK) Receives Average Recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from Analysts

Key Points

• Rockwell Automation, Inc. has received a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" from nineteen analysts, with a price target range averaging approximately $340.53.
• Recent insider trading activity included notable stock sales, with a senior vice president selling shares valued at about $160,010, indicating a 15.58% decrease in their ownership.
• The company recently declared a quarterly dividend of $1.31 per share, resulting in an annualized dividend yield of 1.6%.

Shares of Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK - Get Free Report) have earned a consensus recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the nineteen ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $340.5263.

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on ROK shares. TD Cowen upgraded Rockwell Automation from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating and set a $275.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Rockwell Automation from $271.00 to $299.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Stephens reiterated an "overweight" rating and issued a $375.00 price target (up previously from $350.00) on shares of Rockwell Automation in a research report on Wednesday, July 16th. KeyCorp raised their price objective on shares of Rockwell Automation from $370.00 to $380.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Citigroup reaffirmed a "buy" rating and issued a $392.00 target price (up from $371.00) on shares of Rockwell Automation in a report on Monday, July 14th.

Insider Buying and Selling at Rockwell Automation

In related news, SVP Matthew W. Fordenwalt sold 500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $320.02, for a total transaction of $160,010.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 2,709 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $866,934.18. The trade was a 15.58% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, SVP Matheus De A. G. Viera Bulho sold 939 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $304.24, for a total transaction of $285,681.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 983 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $299,067.92. This trade represents a 48.86% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 9,257 shares of company stock worth $2,990,715. Company insiders own 0.68% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Rockwell Automation

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Fifth Third Bancorp lifted its stake in Rockwell Automation by 8.5% in the 1st quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 5,424 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $1,401,000 after buying an additional 423 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC raised its holdings in shares of Rockwell Automation by 3.7% in the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 2,353 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $608,000 after acquiring an additional 84 shares during the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its position in shares of Rockwell Automation by 0.8% in the first quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 5,652 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $1,462,000 after acquiring an additional 43 shares in the last quarter. Brighton Jones LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Rockwell Automation during the fourth quarter valued at $281,000. Finally, J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. increased its position in Rockwell Automation by 128.7% during the 1st quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 4,382 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $1,132,000 after purchasing an additional 2,466 shares in the last quarter. 75.75% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Rockwell Automation Stock Up 1.3%

Shares of NYSE:ROK opened at $332.96 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $336.55 and a 200-day simple moving average of $293.93. Rockwell Automation has a twelve month low of $215.00 and a twelve month high of $360.92. The company has a current ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The company has a market capitalization of $37.53 billion, a PE ratio of 39.08, a P/E/G ratio of 3.35 and a beta of 1.39.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The industrial products company reported $2.82 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.67 by $0.15. The firm had revenue of $2.14 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.07 billion. Rockwell Automation had a net margin of 12.03% and a return on equity of 30.14%. Rockwell Automation's quarterly revenue was up 4.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.71 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that Rockwell Automation will post 9.35 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Rockwell Automation Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 18th will be paid a dividend of $1.31 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 18th. This represents a $5.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.6%. Rockwell Automation's dividend payout ratio is 65.99%.

Rockwell Automation Company 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.

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