Baker Hughes (NASDAQ:BKR) Given Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Baker Hughes (NASDAQ:BKR) has earned a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the nineteen research firms that are covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $48.06.

BKR has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on shares of Baker Hughes from $51.00 to $52.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. TD Cowen reduced their price target on shares of Baker Hughes from $53.00 to $51.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Atb Cap Markets downgraded Baker Hughes from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 10th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Baker Hughes from $42.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 3rd. Finally, Barclays upped their target price on shares of Baker Hughes from $46.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 18th.

Baker Hughes Trading Up 3.6 %

BKR stock opened at $44.60 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $43.00 and a 200-day moving average of $38.96. The company has a market cap of $44.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.00, a PEG ratio of 0.88 and a beta of 1.39. Baker Hughes has a twelve month low of $28.32 and a twelve month high of $47.47. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37.

Baker Hughes (NASDAQ:BKR) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The company reported $0.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.63 by $0.07. Baker Hughes had a net margin of 8.20% and a return on equity of 13.77%. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Baker Hughes will post 2.29 EPS for the current year.

Baker Hughes Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 21st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 11th will be paid a $0.23 dividend. This is a positive change from Baker Hughes’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.21. This represents a $0.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.06%. Baker Hughes’s dividend payout ratio is currently 37.67%.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Maria C. Borras sold 8,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $44.77, for a total value of $358,160.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 173,302 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,758,730.54. This represents a 4.41 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.25% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Baker Hughes

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Nkcfo LLC bought a new position in Baker Hughes during the fourth quarter worth about $839,000. Sheaff Brock Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Baker Hughes in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $7,785,000. Secured Retirement Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Baker Hughes in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,025,000. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC acquired a new stake in Baker Hughes during the fourth quarter worth approximately $640,000. Finally, Principal Securities Inc. increased its stake in Baker Hughes by 336.5% during the 4th quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 15,577 shares of the company’s stock worth $639,000 after acquiring an additional 12,008 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 92.06% of the company’s stock.

Baker Hughes Company Profile

Baker Hughes Company provides a portfolio of technologies and services to energy and industrial value chain worldwide. The company operates through Oilfield Services & Equipment (OFSE) and Industrial & Energy Technology (IET) segments. The OFSE segment designs and manufactures products and provides related services, including exploration, appraisal, development, production, rejuvenation, and decommissioning for onshore and offshore oilfield operations.