Advocate Group LLC Boosts Stake in Emerson Electric Co. (NYSE:EMR)

Advocate Group LLC raised its position in Emerson Electric Co. (NYSE:EMR) by 8.2% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 73,751 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after purchasing an additional 5,619 shares during the quarter. Emerson Electric accounts for approximately 1.7% of Advocate Group LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 14th largest position. Advocate Group LLC’s holdings in Emerson Electric were worth $9,140,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Sugar Maple Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Emerson Electric during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new stake in shares of Emerson Electric during the third quarter worth about $25,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Emerson Electric in the third quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Emerson Electric during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Morton Brown Family Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in Emerson Electric during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. 74.30% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In other Emerson Electric news, SVP Michael H. Train sold 21,525 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.96, for a total value of $2,711,289.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 262,408 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $33,052,911.68. This trade represents a 7.58 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.50% of the company’s stock.

Emerson Electric Price Performance

Shares of EMR opened at $130.62 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $74.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 1.35. Emerson Electric Co. has a fifty-two week low of $91.64 and a fifty-two week high of $134.85. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $127.10 and a 200-day simple moving average of $115.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a quick ratio of 1.40 and a current ratio of 1.77.

Emerson Electric Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 15th were paid a dividend of $0.5275 per share. This represents a $2.11 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.62%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 15th. This is a boost from Emerson Electric’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.53. Emerson Electric’s dividend payout ratio is 61.70%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently commented on EMR shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on Emerson Electric from $137.00 to $135.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 15th. Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on Emerson Electric from $117.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, November 4th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price objective on Emerson Electric from $136.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. StockNews.com cut Emerson Electric from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 1st. Finally, Stephens lowered shares of Emerson Electric from an “overweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and dropped their price target for the company from $135.00 to $120.00 in a research note on Wednesday, October 16th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Emerson Electric has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $135.89.

About Emerson Electric

Emerson Electric Co, a technology and software company, provides various solutions for customers in industrial, commercial, and consumer markets in the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. It operates in six segments: Final Control, Control Systems & Software, Measurement & Analytical, AspenTech, Discrete Automation, and Safety & Productivity.