KBC Group NV Trims Stock Position in Johnson Controls International plc $JCI

KBC Group NV lessened its stake in shares of Johnson Controls International plc (NYSE:JCI) by 1.7% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 398,886 shares of the company’s stock after selling 6,926 shares during the period. KBC Group NV’s holdings in Johnson Controls International were worth $52,234,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Clear Trail Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Johnson Controls International in the fourth quarter valued at about $5,104,000. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Johnson Controls International by 14.7% during the fourth quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 112,411 shares of the company’s stock valued at $13,461,000 after buying an additional 14,446 shares during the last quarter. Diversified Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Johnson Controls International in the 4th quarter valued at about $1,310,000. Vista Investment Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Johnson Controls International in the 4th quarter valued at about $4,202,000. Finally, Abacus Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Johnson Controls International in the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,233,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.05% of the company’s stock.

Johnson Controls International Price Performance

Shares of JCI stock opened at $139.43 on Tuesday. Johnson Controls International plc has a fifty-two week low of $102.09 and a fifty-two week high of $151.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 1.04. The firm has a market capitalization of $85.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.94, a PEG ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 1.31. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $141.88 and its 200-day simple moving average is $135.51.

Johnson Controls International (NYSE:JCI) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 31st. The company reported $1.19 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $6.14 billion during the quarter. Johnson Controls International had a net margin of 14.45% and a return on equity of 19.50%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Johnson Controls International plc will post 4.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Johnson Controls International Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 15th were issued a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 15th. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. Johnson Controls International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 28.62%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. Oppenheimer reiterated a “market perform” rating on shares of Johnson Controls International in a research note on Tuesday, June 2nd. Evercore initiated coverage on shares of Johnson Controls International in a research note on Monday, April 13th. They issued a “hold” rating and a $155.00 target price for the company. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Johnson Controls International in a report on Tuesday, June 9th. Wall Street Zen raised Johnson Controls International from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Sunday, May 3rd. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein started coverage on Johnson Controls International in a report on Tuesday, June 9th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $176.00 price objective for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $152.85.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, VP Todd M. Grabowski sold 1,800 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $146.20, for a total value of $263,160.00. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 26,215 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,832,633. This represents a 6.43% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, VP Lei Zhang Schlitz sold 88,809 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $140.99, for a total value of $12,521,180.91. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 57,059 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $8,044,748.41. This trade represents a 60.88% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Company insiders own 0.29% of the company’s stock.

Johnson Controls International Profile

Johnson Controls International plc is a global diversified technology and multi‑industrial company that develops products, services and solutions for buildings and energy storage. The company’s core focus is on improving building efficiency, safety and sustainability through a combination of HVAC equipment, building controls and automation, fire and security systems, and related services. Johnson Controls traces its roots to 1885, when inventor Warren S. Johnson developed an electric room thermostat; over its long history the company has expanded from controls into a broad set of building‑related technologies and, through corporate transactions, into a global provider of integrated building solutions.

Johnson Controls’ product and service portfolio includes heating, ventilation and air‑conditioning equipment, chillers, air handlers and related mechanical systems, together with building automation and control platforms that monitor and manage energy use, indoor environmental quality and security.