StockNews.com Downgrades Morningstar (NASDAQ:MORN) to Hold

Morningstar (NASDAQ:MORN) was downgraded by equities research analysts at StockNews.com from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday.

Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the stock. UBS Group began coverage on shares of Morningstar in a report on Tuesday, October 8th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $390.00 price objective for the company. Redburn Atlantic cut Morningstar from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $340.00 price objective on the stock. in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $360.67.

Morningstar Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:MORN opened at $322.36 on Tuesday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $343.55 and a 200-day moving average price of $325.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.14. The company has a market capitalization of $13.82 billion, a PE ratio of 42.58 and a beta of 1.20. Morningstar has a 1-year low of $269.51 and a 1-year high of $365.00.

Morningstar (NASDAQ:MORN) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 23rd. The business services provider reported $2.00 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.01 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $569.40 million for the quarter. Morningstar had a net margin of 14.69% and a return on equity of 23.28%.

Insider Transactions at Morningstar

In other news, Chairman Joseph D. Mansueto sold 118 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $342.13, for a total value of $40,371.34. Following the transaction, the chairman now owns 10,788,378 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,691,027,765.14. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Jason Dubinsky sold 3,223 shares of Morningstar stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $352.88, for a total value of $1,137,332.24. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 17,304 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,106,235.52. The trade was a 15.70 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 51,661 shares of company stock worth $17,723,744 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 39.90% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Morningstar

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MORN. V Square Quantitative Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Morningstar during the 3rd quarter valued at $30,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Morningstar by 101.7% in the 3rd quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 121 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in Morningstar by 73.8% during the second quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 146 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $43,000 after acquiring an additional 62 shares during the period. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Morningstar in the third quarter valued at about $58,000. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Morningstar by 93.6% in the third quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 182 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $58,000 after acquiring an additional 88 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 57.02% of the company’s stock.

About Morningstar

Morningstar, Inc provides independent investment insights in the United States, Asia. Australia, Continental Europe, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates in five segments: Morningstar Data and Analytics; PitchBook; Morningstar Wealth; Morningstar Credit; and Morningstar Retirement.