Principal Financial Group Inc. Has $17.71 Million Holdings in KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR)

Principal Financial Group Inc. decreased its position in KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR) by 0.8% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 305,778 shares of the construction company’s stock after selling 2,478 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned about 0.23% of KBR worth $17,714,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. UMB Bank n.a. grew its holdings in shares of KBR by 49.2% during the fourth quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 531 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 175 shares in the last quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund grew its stake in KBR by 1.5% during the 3rd quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 19,700 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $1,283,000 after acquiring an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC increased its holdings in shares of KBR by 2.9% in the 3rd quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 11,764 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $766,000 after purchasing an additional 335 shares during the period. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new stake in shares of KBR in the third quarter worth approximately $26,000. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. lifted its position in shares of KBR by 32.2% in the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,926 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $124,000 after purchasing an additional 469 shares in the last quarter. 97.02% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

KBR Price Performance

NYSE KBR opened at $50.26 on Tuesday. KBR, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $47.55 and a fifty-two week high of $72.60. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $55.99 and its two-hundred day moving average is $61.81. The firm has a market cap of $6.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69, a current ratio of 1.07 and a quick ratio of 1.07.

KBR (NYSE:KBR) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 24th. The construction company reported $0.91 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.83 by $0.08. KBR had a return on equity of 28.87% and a net margin of 4.35%. On average, analysts anticipate that KBR, Inc. will post 3.26 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

KBR Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Investors of record on Friday, March 14th will be paid a $0.165 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 14th. This is a positive change from KBR’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.15. This represents a $0.66 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.31%. KBR’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 27.73%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have weighed in on KBR shares. Citigroup dropped their price objective on shares of KBR from $82.00 to $76.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 29th. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of KBR from $77.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. KeyCorp reduced their price objective on KBR from $78.00 to $70.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. TD Cowen dropped their target price on KBR from $72.00 to $64.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, DA Davidson reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $84.00 price target on shares of KBR in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $78.00.

KBR Profile

KBR, Inc provides scientific, technology, and engineering solutions to governments and commercial customers worldwide. It operates through Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions segments. The Government Solutions segment offers life-cycle support solutions to defense, intelligence, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.