Hutchinson Capital Management CA Lowers Stake in Comcast Co. (NASDAQ:CMCSA)

Hutchinson Capital Management CA reduced its stake in shares of Comcast Co. (NASDAQ:CMCSA) by 54.7% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 93,781 shares of the cable giant’s stock after selling 113,253 shares during the quarter. Hutchinson Capital Management CA’s holdings in Comcast were worth $3,520,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in CMCSA. Promus Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Comcast in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Winch Advisory Services LLC lifted its stake in Comcast by 269.9% in the fourth quarter. Winch Advisory Services LLC now owns 688 shares of the cable giant’s stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 502 shares during the period. Roxbury Financial LLC purchased a new stake in Comcast in the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Wingate Wealth Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in Comcast in the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, Safe Harbor Fiduciary LLC purchased a new stake in Comcast in the third quarter worth about $30,000. 84.32% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Comcast Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:CMCSA opened at $35.43 on Friday. Comcast Co. has a twelve month low of $32.50 and a twelve month high of $45.31. The company’s 50 day moving average is $35.92 and its 200 day moving average is $39.19. The company has a current ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09. The company has a market cap of $133.96 billion, a PE ratio of 8.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.78 and a beta of 1.00.

Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The cable giant reported $0.96 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.88 by $0.08. Comcast had a net margin of 13.09% and a return on equity of 19.98%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Comcast Co. will post 4.33 EPS for the current year.

Comcast Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 23rd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 2nd will be given a $0.33 dividend. This represents a $1.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.73%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 2nd. This is a positive change from Comcast’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. Comcast’s dividend payout ratio is currently 31.81%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have commented on CMCSA shares. Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of Comcast from $47.00 to $44.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. Sanford C. Bernstein set a $38.00 target price on shares of Comcast in a report on Friday, January 31st. Evercore ISI upgraded shares of Comcast to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, November 21st. Loop Capital reduced their target price on shares of Comcast from $54.00 to $53.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 2nd. Finally, Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on shares of Comcast from $45.00 to $38.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and three have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $43.83.

Comcast Company Profile

Comcast Corporation operates as a media and technology company worldwide. It operates through Residential Connectivity & Platforms, Business Services Connectivity, Media, Studios, and Theme Parks segments. The Residential Connectivity & Platforms segment provides residential broadband and wireless connectivity services, residential and business video services, sky-branded entertainment television networks, and advertising.