Sora Investors LLC Increases Stake in TransUnion (NYSE:TRU)

Sora Investors LLC grew its position in shares of TransUnion (NYSE:TRU - Free Report) by 5.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 142,863 shares of the business services provider's stock after buying an additional 7,062 shares during the period. TransUnion makes up 1.5% of Sora Investors LLC's holdings, making the stock its 28th biggest position. Sora Investors LLC owned 0.07% of TransUnion worth $13,245,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of TRU. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd bought a new position in TransUnion during the 4th quarter worth $40,000. Huntington National Bank increased its position in shares of TransUnion by 58.7% in the fourth quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 454 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 168 shares during the period. Kapitalo Investimentos Ltda acquired a new position in TransUnion in the fourth quarter valued at about $47,000. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC bought a new stake in TransUnion during the fourth quarter worth about $44,000. Finally, Mizuho Bank Ltd. acquired a new stake in TransUnion during the fourth quarter worth about $47,000.

TransUnion Price Performance

Shares of TRU traded down $6.44 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $83.96. 3,072,611 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,677,027. The company has a market cap of $16.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 57.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.67. TransUnion has a 1 year low of $66.38 and a 1 year high of $113.17. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $81.80 and a 200 day moving average price of $90.84. The company has a current ratio of 1.70, a quick ratio of 1.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18.

TransUnion (NYSE:TRU - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 24th. The business services provider reported $1.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.98 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $1.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.07 billion. TransUnion had a return on equity of 15.85% and a net margin of 6.80%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 7.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.92 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that TransUnion will post 3.99 earnings per share for the current year.

TransUnion announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback program on Thursday, February 13th that allows the company to repurchase $500.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the business services provider to repurchase up to 2.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are generally an indication that the company's board believes its shares are undervalued.

TransUnion Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 6th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 22nd will be paid a $0.115 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 22nd. This represents a $0.46 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.55%. TransUnion's dividend payout ratio is presently 24.47%.

Insider Transactions at TransUnion

In other TransUnion news, insider Steven M. Chaouki sold 1,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $82.96, for a total value of $82,960.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 76,393 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,337,563.28. The trade was a 1.29% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Venkat Achanta sold 1,821 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $95.74, for a total transaction of $174,342.54. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 105,443 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $10,095,112.82. This represents a 1.70% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 4,021 shares of company stock valued at $359,761 in the last quarter. Insiders own 0.22% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently issued reports on TRU. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of TransUnion from $130.00 to $117.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 14th. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a "hold" rating on shares of TransUnion in a report on Friday, February 14th. Bank of America initiated coverage on TransUnion in a report on Thursday, April 10th. They set an "underperform" rating and a $84.00 target price on the stock. Oppenheimer upped their target price on TransUnion from $93.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Finally, William Blair reaffirmed an "outperform" rating on shares of TransUnion in a research report on Monday, March 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $109.38.

TransUnion Company Profile

TransUnion operates as a global consumer credit reporting agency that provides risk and information solutions. The company operates through U.S. Markets, International, and Consumer Interactive segments. The U.S. Markets segment provides consumer reports, actionable insights, and analytic services to businesses, which uses its services to acquire new customers; assess consumer ability to pay for services; identify cross-selling opportunities; measure and manage debt portfolio risk; collect debt; verify consumer identities; and mitigate fraud risk.