Jacobs Solutions Inc. (NYSE:J) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Jacobs Solutions Inc. (NYSE:J) has earned a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the ten analysts that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $153.63.

A number of research analysts have weighed in on J shares. Citigroup dropped their target price on shares of Jacobs Solutions from $161.00 to $160.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 29th. Robert W. Baird reduced their price objective on Jacobs Solutions from $154.00 to $148.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 5th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $152.00 target price on shares of Jacobs Solutions in a research note on Tuesday, December 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $150.00 price target on shares of Jacobs Solutions in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on Jacobs Solutions in a report on Wednesday, December 4th. They issued a “hold” rating for the company.

Jacobs Solutions Stock Down 0.2 %

J opened at $121.04 on Tuesday. Jacobs Solutions has a fifty-two week low of $118.67 and a fifty-two week high of $156.31. The firm has a market capitalization of $14.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.96, a PEG ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 0.77. The company’s 50-day moving average is $129.02 and its 200 day moving average is $135.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 1.25.

Jacobs Solutions (NYSE:J) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The company reported $1.33 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.29 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $2.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.92 billion. Jacobs Solutions had a net margin of 4.28% and a return on equity of 14.87%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 4.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.45 EPS. Research analysts expect that Jacobs Solutions will post 6.05 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Jacobs Solutions announced that its board has authorized a share buyback program on Tuesday, February 4th that permits the company to buyback $1.50 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the company to reacquire up to 9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are often a sign that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

Jacobs Solutions Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 21st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 21st were issued a $0.32 dividend. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.06%. This is an increase from Jacobs Solutions’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 21st. Jacobs Solutions’s dividend payout ratio is presently 26.39%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Jacobs Solutions

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Colonial Trust Co SC raised its stake in Jacobs Solutions by 10,250.0% in the fourth quarter. Colonial Trust Co SC now owns 207 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 205 shares in the last quarter. Avalon Trust Co bought a new position in shares of Jacobs Solutions in the 4th quarter worth $33,000. Larson Financial Group LLC raised its position in shares of Jacobs Solutions by 71.9% during the 4th quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 275 shares of the company’s stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 115 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP lifted its holdings in shares of Jacobs Solutions by 394.9% during the 3rd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 292 shares of the company’s stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 233 shares during the last quarter. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new position in Jacobs Solutions in the third quarter worth $44,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 85.65% of the company’s stock.

About Jacobs Solutions

Jacobs Solutions Inc provides consulting, technical, engineering, scientific, and project delivery services for the government and private sectors in the United States, Europe, Canada, India, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and Africa. It operates through Critical Mission Solutions, People & Places Solutions, Divergent Solutions, and PA Consulting segments.