STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM) Sets New 52-Week Low – Time to Sell?

STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM)’s share price hit a new 52-week low during trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as $22.70 and last traded at $22.63, with a volume of 310892 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $24.74.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently commented on STM shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a “neutral” rating on shares of STMicroelectronics in a research report on Monday, December 9th. Robert W. Baird reduced their target price on shares of STMicroelectronics from $35.00 to $30.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 1st. Barclays cut shares of STMicroelectronics from an “equal weight” rating to an “underweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 22nd. Citigroup raised shares of STMicroelectronics to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 10th. Finally, Craig Hallum cut their target price on STMicroelectronics from $42.00 to $36.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 31st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, STMicroelectronics currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $34.11.

STMicroelectronics Trading Down 9.3 %

The firm has a market cap of $20.27 billion, a PE ratio of 9.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.48 and a beta of 1.52. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $25.37 and a 200 day simple moving average of $28.32. The company has a current ratio of 2.84, a quick ratio of 2.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12.

STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The semiconductor producer reported $0.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.35 by $0.02. STMicroelectronics had a net margin of 16.11% and a return on equity of 13.29%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that STMicroelectronics will post 1.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

STMicroelectronics Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 25th will be paid a dividend of $0.09 per share. This represents a $0.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.60%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 25th. STMicroelectronics’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 12.76%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On STMicroelectronics

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Aigen Investment Management LP acquired a new stake in shares of STMicroelectronics during the 3rd quarter worth about $1,157,000. Point72 Asset Management L.P. purchased a new position in shares of STMicroelectronics in the third quarter valued at approximately $1,924,000. Washington Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in STMicroelectronics during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,112,000. Diversified Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of STMicroelectronics in the 4th quarter valued at $583,000. Finally, J2 Capital Management Inc purchased a new stake in shares of STMicroelectronics during the 4th quarter worth $295,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 5.05% of the company’s stock.

STMicroelectronics Company Profile

STMicroelectronics N.V., together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and sells semiconductor products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates through Automotive and Discrete Group; Analog, MEMS and Sensors Group; and Microcontrollers and Digital ICs Group segments.