Value Partners Investments Inc. Grows Stock Position in Royal Bank Of Canada (NYSE:RY)

Value Partners Investments Inc. boosted its position in Royal Bank Of Canada (NYSE:RY) (TSE:RY) by 574.8% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 323,135 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after buying an additional 275,251 shares during the quarter. Royal Bank Of Canada makes up about 3.1% of Value Partners Investments Inc.’s holdings, making the stock its 16th largest position. Value Partners Investments Inc.’s holdings in Royal Bank Of Canada were worth $36,436,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Park Square Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Royal Bank Of Canada in the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. WealthTrak Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Royal Bank Of Canada in the fourth quarter valued at $28,000. Optiver Holding B.V. purchased a new position in shares of Royal Bank Of Canada in the fourth quarter valued at $35,000. Transce3nd LLC purchased a new position in shares of Royal Bank Of Canada in the fourth quarter valued at $37,000. Finally, AdvisorNet Financial Inc grew its position in shares of Royal Bank Of Canada by 93.7% in the first quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 368 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 178 shares in the last quarter. 45.31% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Royal Bank Of Canada Price Performance

NYSE:RY opened at $128.07 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $180.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.23, a P/E/G ratio of 1.48 and a beta of 0.89. Royal Bank Of Canada has a 52-week low of $102.89 and a 52-week high of $130.00. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $124.16 and a 200 day moving average of $120.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.82.

Royal Bank Of Canada (NYSE:RY) (TSE:RY) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 29th. The financial services provider reported $2.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.25 by ($0.05). Royal Bank Of Canada had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 13.37%. The firm had revenue of $11.38 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.77 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.92 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts expect that Royal Bank Of Canada will post 9.16 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Royal Bank Of Canada Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 22nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 24th will be paid a dividend of $1.1152 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 24th. This represents a $4.46 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.48%. This is a positive change from Royal Bank Of Canada’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.03. Royal Bank Of Canada’s payout ratio is 45.67%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on RY shares. Scotiabank started coverage on Royal Bank Of Canada in a research report on Thursday, May 15th. They issued a “sector outperform” rating for the company. CIBC reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Royal Bank Of Canada in a research report on Tuesday, May 20th. Cibc World Mkts upgraded Royal Bank Of Canada from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, April 3rd. Barclays reissued an “overweight” rating on shares of Royal Bank Of Canada in a research note on Monday, June 9th. Finally, National Bank Financial lowered Royal Bank Of Canada from an “outperform” rating to a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Friday, May 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Royal Bank Of Canada has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $193.00.

Royal Bank Of Canada Company Profile

Royal Bank of Canada operates as a diversified financial service company worldwide. The company's Personal & Commercial Banking segment offers checking and savings accounts, home equity financing, personal lending, private banking, indirect lending, including auto financing, mutual funds and self-directed brokerage accounts, guaranteed investment certificates, credit cards, and payment products and solutions; and lending, leasing, deposit, investment, foreign exchange, cash management, auto dealer financing, trade products, and services to small and medium-sized commercial businesses.