The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL) Shares Sold by Ethic Inc.

Ethic Inc. reduced its stake in shares of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL - Free Report) by 41.0% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 22,254 shares of the company's stock after selling 15,494 shares during the period. Ethic Inc.'s holdings in Estée Lauder Companies were worth $1,669,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Ameliora Wealth Management Ltd. purchased a new position in Estée Lauder Companies during the fourth quarter worth approximately $29,000. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators increased its stake in shares of Estée Lauder Companies by 68.7% in the 4th quarter. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators now owns 388 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 158 shares during the last quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Estée Lauder Companies during the 4th quarter worth $30,000. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Estée Lauder Companies by 297.0% during the 4th quarter. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC now owns 401 shares of the company's stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 300 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB boosted its position in shares of Estée Lauder Companies by 42.1% during the 4th quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 476 shares of the company's stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 141 shares during the last quarter. 55.15% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Estée Lauder Companies Trading Up 7.2%

NYSE EL opened at $65.40 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.75, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 1.37. The firm has a market cap of $23.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -33.54, a PEG ratio of 6.09 and a beta of 1.12. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $61.20 and a 200-day simple moving average of $69.36. The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. has a one year low of $48.37 and a one year high of $139.34.

Estée Lauder Companies (NYSE:EL - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The company reported $0.65 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.29 by $0.36. The company had revenue of $2.66 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.51 billion. Estée Lauder Companies had a negative net margin of 4.61% and a positive return on equity of 16.82%. The firm's revenue was down 9.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.97 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. will post 1.36 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Estée Lauder Companies Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.35 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 30th. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.14%. Estée Lauder Companies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -57.85%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently issued reports on EL. Citigroup cut their price objective on shares of Estée Lauder Companies from $77.00 to $55.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 14th. B. Riley restated a "neutral" rating and set a $60.00 price target (down previously from $70.00) on shares of Estée Lauder Companies in a report on Friday, May 2nd. UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Estée Lauder Companies from $60.00 to $62.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Telsey Advisory Group reiterated a "market perform" rating and issued a $76.00 price objective on shares of Estée Lauder Companies in a research report on Thursday, May 1st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on Estée Lauder Companies from $70.00 to $60.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Nineteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $75.20.

Estée Lauder Companies Company Profile

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc manufactures, markets, and sells skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products worldwide. It offers skin care products, including moisturizers, serums, cleansers, toners, body care, exfoliators, acne care and oil correctors, facial masks, and sun care products; and makeup products, such as lipsticks, lip glosses, mascaras, foundations, eyeshadows, and powders, as well as compacts, brushes, and other makeup tools.

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