Ascent Group LLC Purchases 2,811 Shares of Danaher Corporation $DHR

Ascent Group LLC boosted its holdings in Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR) by 28.4% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 12,723 shares of the conglomerate’s stock after buying an additional 2,811 shares during the period. Ascent Group LLC’s holdings in Danaher were worth $2,913,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Enterprise Financial Services Corp raised its stake in Danaher by 1.4% during the 4th quarter. Enterprise Financial Services Corp now owns 3,219 shares of the conglomerate’s stock valued at $737,000 after purchasing an additional 46 shares during the period. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Danaher by 0.3% in the third quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 15,421 shares of the conglomerate’s stock worth $3,057,000 after buying an additional 48 shares in the last quarter. Norway Savings Bank boosted its position in shares of Danaher by 0.7% during the fourth quarter. Norway Savings Bank now owns 7,063 shares of the conglomerate’s stock worth $1,617,000 after acquiring an additional 49 shares during the last quarter. SOL Capital Management CO grew its stake in Danaher by 2.8% during the third quarter. SOL Capital Management CO now owns 1,829 shares of the conglomerate’s stock valued at $363,000 after acquiring an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Purkiss Capital Advisors LLC grew its stake in Danaher by 3.9% during the third quarter. Purkiss Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,327 shares of the conglomerate’s stock valued at $263,000 after acquiring an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. 79.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have commented on DHR shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Danaher in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Danaher in a report on Friday, March 27th. KeyCorp reiterated an “overweight” rating on shares of Danaher in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. Robert W. Baird set a $251.00 price target on Danaher in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Finally, Argus set a $265.00 price target on Danaher in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. Nineteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $253.55.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Gregory M. Milosevich sold 1,320 shares of Danaher stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $208.01, for a total value of $274,573.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 5,099 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,060,642.99. The trade was a 20.56% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 11.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Danaher Stock Performance

Danaher stock opened at $191.18 on Monday. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $204.49 and its 200-day moving average price is $214.63. The company has a quick ratio of 1.51, a current ratio of 1.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The company has a market cap of $135.30 billion, a PE ratio of 37.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 0.95. Danaher Corporation has a twelve month low of $171.00 and a twelve month high of $242.80.

Danaher (NYSE:DHR) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The conglomerate reported $2.23 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.14 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $6.84 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.79 billion. Danaher had a net margin of 14.71% and a return on equity of 10.81%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.14 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Danaher Corporation will post 7.63 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Danaher Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 27th will be paid a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 27th. This is a positive change from Danaher’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. Danaher’s dividend payout ratio is 31.75%.

Danaher Profile

Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR) is a global science and technology company that designs, manufactures and markets products and services for the life sciences, diagnostics, and environmental and applied markets. The company organizes its operations into business segments focused on Life Sciences, Diagnostics, and Environmental & Applied Solutions, supplying instruments, reagents, software and related services that support research, clinical testing, biopharmaceutical development, and industrial and environmental monitoring.

Products and services in Danaher’s portfolio include analytical and diagnostic instruments, laboratory consumables and reagents, digital and software solutions for workflow and data management, field and industrial monitoring equipment, and service and maintenance programs.