Johnson Controls International Target of Unusually Large Options Trading (NYSE:JCI)

Johnson Controls International plc (NYSE:JCI) saw unusually large options trading activity on Wednesday. Stock investors bought 19,207 call options on the stock. This represents an increase of 1,963% compared to the typical daily volume of 931 call options.

Insider Transactions at Johnson Controls International

In related news, Director Mark Vergnano acquired 7,665 shares of Johnson Controls International stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 5th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $131.94 per share, for a total transaction of $1,011,320.10. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 37,602 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,961,207.88. This trade represents a 25.60% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, VP Todd M. Grabowski sold 6,050 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $134.90, for a total transaction of $816,145.00. Following the sale, the vice president directly owned 34,836 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,699,376.40. This represents a 14.80% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 0.29% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Johnson Controls International

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in JCI. Maseco LLP increased its position in Johnson Controls International by 102.9% during the 4th quarter. Maseco LLP now owns 211 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. Mcguire Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Johnson Controls International in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Roxbury Financial LLC lifted its holdings in Johnson Controls International by 71.9% in the 4th quarter. Roxbury Financial LLC now owns 239 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Twin Tree Management LP boosted its stake in shares of Johnson Controls International by 140.9% during the 4th quarter. Twin Tree Management LP now owns 260 shares of the company’s stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 895 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MTM Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Johnson Controls International during the 2nd quarter worth about $32,000. 90.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on JCI. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Johnson Controls International in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Johnson Controls International from $138.00 to $158.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, February 6th. Mizuho lifted their price objective on Johnson Controls International from $120.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, February 5th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Johnson Controls International from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, February 7th. Finally, Robert W. Baird set a $132.00 target price on Johnson Controls International in a report on Thursday, February 5th. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Johnson Controls International presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $135.53.

Johnson Controls International Stock Up 0.9%

Shares of NYSE JCI opened at $133.70 on Thursday. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $129.43 and its two-hundred day moving average is $118.93. The company has a market capitalization of $81.83 billion, a PE ratio of 25.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 1.38. Johnson Controls International has a 12-month low of $68.03 and a 12-month high of $146.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.81.

Johnson Controls International (NYSE:JCI) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 4th. The company reported $0.89 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.84 by $0.05. Johnson Controls International had a net margin of 14.17% and a return on equity of 17.15%. The business had revenue of $5.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.64 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.64 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 6.8% on a year-over-year basis. Johnson Controls International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.700-4.700 EPS and its Q2 2026 guidance at 1.110-1.110 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Johnson Controls International will post 3.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Johnson Controls International Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 16th will be given a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 16th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.2%. Johnson Controls International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.13%.

Johnson Controls International Company 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.