Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC Increases Stock Position in Whirlpool Co. (NYSE:WHR)

Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC raised its holdings in Whirlpool Co. (NYSE:WHR) by 17.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 101,575 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 14,900 shares during the period. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC owned 0.19% of Whirlpool worth $10,381,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Whirlpool by 20.0% in the first quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 41,855 shares of the company’s stock valued at $5,007,000 after purchasing an additional 6,984 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Whirlpool in the first quarter valued at about $1,054,000. Retirement Systems of Alabama lifted its holdings in shares of Whirlpool by 471.3% in the first quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 69,067 shares of the company’s stock valued at $8,262,000 after purchasing an additional 56,978 shares in the last quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Whirlpool in the first quarter valued at about $219,000. Finally, Salem Investment Counselors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Whirlpool in the first quarter valued at approximately $45,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.78% of the company’s stock.

Insider Transactions at Whirlpool

In other news, EVP Juan Carlos Puente sold 3,266 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $100.00, for a total value of $326,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 19,070 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,907,000. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 2.05% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on WHR shares. Bank of America started coverage on shares of Whirlpool in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. They issued an “underperform” rating and a $88.00 price objective for the company. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on shares of Whirlpool from $79.00 to $76.00 and set an “underperform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $103.75.

Whirlpool Stock Performance

Shares of WHR stock opened at $107.66 on Friday. Whirlpool Co. has a one year low of $84.18 and a one year high of $135.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.88, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a current ratio of 0.96. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $99.03 and a 200 day moving average price of $99.98. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.83 and a beta of 1.44.

Whirlpool (NYSE:WHR) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The company reported $2.39 EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $2.39. Whirlpool had a net margin of 2.89% and a return on equity of 27.67%. The firm had revenue of $3.99 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.96 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $4.21 earnings per share. Whirlpool’s revenue for the quarter was down 16.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Whirlpool Co. will post 11.31 EPS for the current year.

Whirlpool Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, September 15th. Investors of record on Friday, August 30th were given a dividend of $1.75 per share. This represents a $7.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.50%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 30th. Whirlpool’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 96.42%.

Whirlpool Company Profile

Whirlpool Corporation manufactures and markets home appliances and related products and services in the North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Asia. The company's principal products include refrigerators, freezers, ice makers, and refrigerator water filters; laundry appliances, and commercial laundry products and related laundry accessories; cooking and other small domestic appliances; and dishwasher appliances and related accessories, as well as mixers.