Principal Securities Inc. Increases Holdings in BHP Group Limited (NYSE:BHP)

Principal Securities Inc. increased its stake in shares of BHP Group Limited (NYSE:BHP) by 15.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 7,809 shares of the mining company’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,043 shares during the period. Principal Securities Inc.’s holdings in BHP Group were worth $381,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Eastern Bank acquired a new position in BHP Group in the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. Versant Capital Management Inc purchased a new position in BHP Group in the 4th quarter valued at about $40,000. Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA purchased a new position in BHP Group in the 4th quarter valued at about $46,000. Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of BHP Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $50,000. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of BHP Group in the 4th quarter valued at about $54,000. 3.79% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

BHP Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:BHP opened at $51.42 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40, a quick ratio of 1.29 and a current ratio of 1.70. BHP Group Limited has a 52 week low of $48.06 and a 52 week high of $63.21. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $49.80 and a 200 day simple moving average of $53.14.

BHP Group Cuts Dividend

The business also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 7th will be given a $1.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 7th.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently weighed in on BHP. StockNews.com lowered shares of BHP Group from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price objective on shares of BHP Group from $57.00 to $53.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Monday, January 6th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $53.00.

About BHP Group

BHP Group Limited operates as a resources company in Australia, Europe, China, Japan, India, South Korea, the rest of Asia, North America, South America, and internationally. The company operates through Copper, Iron Ore, and Coal segments. It engages in the mining of copper, uranium, gold, zinc, lead, molybdenum, silver, iron ore, cobalt, and metallurgical and energy coal.