Vanguard Group Inc. Trims Holdings in Methode Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:MEI)

Vanguard Group Inc. trimmed its position in shares of Methode Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:MEI - Free Report) by 1.9% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,845,307 shares of the electronics maker's stock after selling 55,135 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. owned 7.98% of Methode Electronics worth $33,546,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of MEI. Aviance Capital Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Methode Electronics by 5.2% in the 4th quarter. Aviance Capital Partners LLC now owns 56,594 shares of the electronics maker's stock worth $667,000 after buying an additional 2,781 shares during the period. AlphaQuest LLC lifted its position in shares of Methode Electronics by 196.8% during the fourth quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 4,509 shares of the electronics maker's stock worth $53,000 after acquiring an additional 2,990 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC lifted its position in shares of Methode Electronics by 4.5% during the third quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 75,971 shares of the electronics maker's stock worth $909,000 after acquiring an additional 3,288 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC grew its position in shares of Methode Electronics by 5.1% in the fourth quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 117,481 shares of the electronics maker's stock valued at $1,385,000 after purchasing an additional 5,677 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sei Investments Co. raised its stake in shares of Methode Electronics by 19.2% during the 4th quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 49,440 shares of the electronics maker's stock valued at $583,000 after purchasing an additional 7,969 shares during the period. 95.49% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In related news, SVP Lars Ullrich bought 15,150 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 14th. The stock was bought at an average price of $6.69 per share, with a total value of $101,353.50. Following the purchase, the senior vice president now owns 15,150 shares in the company, valued at approximately $101,353.50. The trade was a ∞ increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CEO Jonathan B. Degaynor purchased 32,733 shares of Methode Electronics stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 11th. The shares were bought at an average price of $6.46 per share, for a total transaction of $211,455.18. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 32,733 shares in the company, valued at $211,455.18. The trade was a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Corporate insiders own 1.40% of the company's stock.

Methode Electronics Price Performance

Shares of MEI traded up $0.05 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $5.69. 321,408 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 501,184. The company has a current ratio of 2.75, a quick ratio of 1.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $7.59 and its 200-day simple moving average is $9.91. The stock has a market cap of $203.01 million, a PE ratio of -2.25 and a beta of 0.93. Methode Electronics, Inc. has a 12 month low of $5.08 and a 12 month high of $17.45.

Methode Electronics (NYSE:MEI - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, March 5th. The electronics maker reported ($0.21) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.17) by ($0.04). Methode Electronics had a negative return on equity of 3.26% and a negative net margin of 8.16%. The company had revenue of $239.90 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $264.01 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned ($0.33) EPS. Equities analysts expect that Methode Electronics, Inc. will post -0.4 EPS for the current year.

Methode Electronics Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 18th were issued a $0.14 dividend. This represents a $0.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.85%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, April 17th. Methode Electronics's payout ratio is currently -21.46%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on MEI shares. Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on Methode Electronics from $9.00 to $7.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday. Sidoti raised shares of Methode Electronics from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $14.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 25th.

About Methode Electronics

Methode Electronics, Inc designs, engineers, and produces mechatronic products worldwide. It operates through four segments: Automotive, Industrial, Interface, and Medical. The Automotive segment supplies electronic and electro-mechanical devices, and related products to automobile original equipment manufacturers directly or through their tiered suppliers.