Tessa M. Myers Sells 1,231 Shares of Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK) Stock

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK) SVP Tessa M. Myers sold 1,231 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $285.43, for a total transaction of $351,364.33. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 3,650 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,041,819.50. The trade was a 25.22 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website.

Rockwell Automation Stock Performance

Shares of ROK stock traded down $8.95 on Monday, hitting $278.20. 783,587 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 827,169. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $285.83 and its two-hundred day moving average is $278.69. Rockwell Automation, Inc. has a one year low of $242.81 and a one year high of $308.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $31.46 billion, a PE ratio of 34.65, a P/E/G ratio of 3.53 and a beta of 1.35. The company has a current ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK) last issued its earnings results on Monday, February 10th. The industrial products company reported $1.83 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.61 by $0.22. Rockwell Automation had a net margin of 11.38% and a return on equity of 30.17%. Sell-side analysts expect that Rockwell Automation, Inc. will post 9.35 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Rockwell Automation Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th will be given a dividend of $1.31 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 18th. This represents a $5.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.88%. Rockwell Automation’s dividend payout ratio is currently 65.26%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on ROK shares. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on Rockwell Automation from $257.00 to $290.00 and gave the company a “sell” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 11th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of Rockwell Automation from $335.00 to $345.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Rockwell Automation from $345.00 to $350.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 11th. HSBC raised shares of Rockwell Automation from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $355.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, Loop Capital increased their price objective on shares of Rockwell Automation from $260.00 to $280.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 25th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $307.55.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Rockwell Automation

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in Rockwell Automation during the 3rd quarter worth about $26,000. West Oak Capital LLC increased its position in shares of Rockwell Automation by 455.6% during the fourth quarter. West Oak Capital LLC now owns 100 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 82 shares during the period. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Rockwell Automation in the third quarter worth about $34,000. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust bought a new position in shares of Rockwell Automation in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Finally, SBI Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new position in Rockwell Automation during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $35,000. 75.75% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Rockwell Automation

Rockwell Automation, Inc provides industrial automation and digital transformation solutions in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company operates through three segments, Intelligent Devices, Software & Control, and Lifecycle Services. Its solutions include hardware and software products and services.