Equities researchers at Stifel Nicolaus began coverage on shares of Moody's (NYSE:MCO) in a report released on Tuesday, The Fly reports. The firm set a “hold” rating on the business services provider’s stock.
MCO has been the topic of several other research reports. Credit Suisse Group reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $137.00 price target (up previously from $131.00) on shares of Moody's in a research report on Wednesday, August 30th. They noted that the move was a valuation call. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Moody's from $135.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, September 15th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated a “hold” rating and set a $148.00 price target on shares of Moody's in a research report on Monday, November 6th. Argus upped their price target on shares of Moody's to $165.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 9th. Finally, UBS upped their price target on shares of Moody's from $142.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, November 6th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $151.89.
Shares of Moody's (NYSE:MCO) traded down $0.34 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $150.15. 707,665 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 730,964. The firm has a market cap of $28,680.00, a P/E ratio of 26.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.66 and a beta of 1.36. The company has a current ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of -32.57. Moody's has a 1-year low of $93.51 and a 1-year high of $153.86.
In other Moody's news, Director Ewald Kist sold 4,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $142.00, for a total transaction of $568,000.00. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Darrell Duffie sold 500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $138.41, for a total transaction of $69,205.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 21,804 shares in the company, valued at $3,017,891.64. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 1.17% of the company’s stock.
Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd increased its stake in shares of Moody's by 26.9% in the 3rd quarter. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd now owns 273,100 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $38,018,000 after acquiring an additional 57,900 shares during the last quarter. Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC increased its stake in shares of Moody's by 6.8% in the 3rd quarter. Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC now owns 1,199,446 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $166,975,000 after acquiring an additional 76,836 shares during the last quarter. Davis Selected Advisers increased its stake in shares of Moody's by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. Davis Selected Advisers now owns 202,766 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $28,227,000 after acquiring an additional 1,460 shares during the last quarter. IFM Investors Pty Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Moody's in the 3rd quarter valued at about $673,000. Finally, Guardian Capital LP increased its stake in shares of Moody's by 6.5% in the 3rd quarter. Guardian Capital LP now owns 89,681 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $12,484,000 after acquiring an additional 5,499 shares during the last quarter. 87.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.
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About Moody's
Moody’s Corporation (Moody’s) is a provider of credit ratings; credit, capital markets and economic related research, data and analytical tools; software solutions and related risk management services, quantitative credit risk measures, financial services training and certification services, and research and analytical services to financial institution customers.
