Smartleaf Asset Management LLC Acquires 50 Shares of Morningstar, Inc. (NASDAQ:MORN)

Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in Morningstar, Inc. (NASDAQ:MORN) by 178.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 78 shares of the business services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Morningstar were worth $26,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bradley & Co. Private Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Morningstar in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Morningstar by 101.7% in the 3rd quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 121 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares during the period. R Squared Ltd bought a new position in Morningstar in the 4th quarter worth approximately $40,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC boosted its stake in Morningstar by 49.5% in the 4th quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 139 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $47,000 after purchasing an additional 46 shares during the period. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Morningstar by 93.6% in the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 182 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $58,000 after purchasing an additional 88 shares during the period. 57.02% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Morningstar Stock Up 1.1 %

Shares of MORN opened at $287.53 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.98 and a beta of 1.23. Morningstar, Inc. has a 1 year low of $278.64 and a 1 year high of $365.00. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $320.35 and its 200-day simple moving average is $329.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.14.

Morningstar (NASDAQ:MORN) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 26th. The business services provider reported $2.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.99 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $591.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $580.81 million. Morningstar had a return on equity of 23.28% and a net margin of 14.69%.

Insider Activity at Morningstar

In related news, CFO Jason Dubinsky sold 3,223 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $352.88, for a total transaction of $1,137,332.24. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 17,304 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,106,235.52. This represents a 15.70 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Chairman Joseph D. Mansueto sold 1,716 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $327.89, for a total value of $562,659.24. Following the sale, the chairman now owns 10,151,120 shares in the company, valued at $3,328,450,736.80. The trade was a 0.02 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 53,703 shares of company stock worth $17,349,106. Company insiders own 37.70% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have weighed in on MORN shares. StockNews.com upgraded Morningstar from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on Morningstar from $387.00 to $370.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, March 3rd.

About Morningstar

Morningstar, Inc provides independent investment insights in the United States, Asia. Australia, Continental Europe, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates in five segments: Morningstar Data and Analytics; PitchBook; Morningstar Wealth; Morningstar Credit; and Morningstar Retirement.