Synergy Asset Management LLC Makes New Investment in Kimberly-Clark Co. (NYSE:KMB)

Synergy Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Kimberly-Clark Co. (NYSE:KMB) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 245 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $35,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Clearbridge Investments LLC lifted its position in Kimberly-Clark by 53.9% during the second quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 63,561 shares of the company’s stock valued at $8,784,000 after buying an additional 22,272 shares during the period. Sanctuary Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Kimberly-Clark during the 2nd quarter valued at about $4,513,000. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund bought a new stake in Kimberly-Clark during the second quarter worth about $6,067,000. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division grew its holdings in Kimberly-Clark by 4.2% in the third quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division now owns 2,221 shares of the company’s stock worth $316,000 after purchasing an additional 90 shares during the period. Finally, Czech National Bank lifted its holdings in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 6.9% during the third quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 68,610 shares of the company’s stock valued at $9,762,000 after purchasing an additional 4,447 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.29% of the company’s stock.

Kimberly-Clark Trading Down 0.7 %

Shares of NYSE:KMB opened at $129.93 on Friday. Kimberly-Clark Co. has a 52-week low of $117.67 and a 52-week high of $149.30. The stock has a market capitalization of $43.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.21, a PEG ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.05, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a current ratio of 0.80. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $131.37 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $137.31.

Kimberly-Clark (NYSE:KMB) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 28th. The company reported $1.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.50. Kimberly-Clark had a net margin of 12.69% and a return on equity of 201.43%. Analysts expect that Kimberly-Clark Co. will post 7.52 EPS for the current year.

Kimberly-Clark Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, March 7th will be given a dividend of $1.26 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 7th. This is an increase from Kimberly-Clark’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.22. This represents a $5.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.88%. Kimberly-Clark’s payout ratio is 64.64%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Kimberly-Clark

In related news, VP Andrew Drexler sold 3,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $139.01, for a total transaction of $417,030.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 5,053 shares in the company, valued at approximately $702,417.53. The trade was a 37.25 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 0.62% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently weighed in on KMB shares. StockNews.com downgraded Kimberly-Clark from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Citigroup lowered their price target on Kimberly-Clark from $125.00 to $118.00 and set a “sell” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 15th. TD Cowen lowered shares of Kimberly-Clark from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and set a $145.00 price objective for the company. in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $140.00 to $124.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $144.00 to $132.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 17th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Kimberly-Clark currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $143.64.

Kimberly-Clark Company Profile

Kimberly-Clark Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets personal care and consumer tissue products in the United States. It operates through three segments: Personal Care, Consumer Tissue, and K-C Professional. The company’s Personal Care segment offers disposable diapers, training and youth pants, swimpants, baby wipes, feminine and incontinence care products, reusable underwear, and other related products under the Huggies, Pull-Ups, Little Swimmers, GoodNites, DryNites, Sweety, Kotex, U by Kotex, Intimus, Thinx, Poise, Depend, Plenitud, Softex, and other brand names.