TransUnion (NYSE:TRU) Receives $77.64 Consensus PT from Analysts

Shares of TransUnion (NYSE:TRU) have earned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the fifteen analysts that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have issued a hold recommendation and ten have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $77.80.

A number of analysts recently issued reports on TRU shares. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on TransUnion from $80.00 to $87.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 14th. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of TransUnion from $55.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Oppenheimer initiated coverage on shares of TransUnion in a research report on Tuesday, December 19th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $81.00 price objective on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and set a $85.00 target price on shares of TransUnion in a research report on Wednesday, February 14th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on TransUnion from $75.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 17th.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other TransUnion news, EVP Timothy J. Martin sold 12,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $78.59, for a total transaction of $943,080.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 54,522 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,284,883.98. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, EVP Richard Dane Mauldin sold 1,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $78.10, for a total transaction of $117,150.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 22,033 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,720,777.30. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Timothy J. Martin sold 12,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $78.59, for a total value of $943,080.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 54,522 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,284,883.98. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.22% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of TransUnion

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Heron Bay Capital Management raised its stake in shares of TransUnion by 37.3% during the 4th quarter. Heron Bay Capital Management now owns 172,458 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $11,850,000 after acquiring an additional 46,826 shares in the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC increased its position in shares of TransUnion by 204.6% during the fourth quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 45,126 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $3,101,000 after purchasing an additional 30,312 shares in the last quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. lifted its holdings in shares of TransUnion by 33.3% during the 3rd quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. now owns 300,000 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $21,537,000 after purchasing an additional 75,000 shares during the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board boosted its position in shares of TransUnion by 62.0% in the 3rd quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 66,274 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $4,758,000 after purchasing an additional 25,354 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Westfield Capital Management Co. LP grew its stake in TransUnion by 2.4% during the 3rd quarter. Westfield Capital Management Co. LP now owns 967,445 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $69,453,000 after buying an additional 22,774 shares during the last quarter.

TransUnion Stock Performance

TransUnion stock opened at $79.80 on Monday. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $75.08 and its 200-day moving average price is $67.96. The company has a quick ratio of 1.47, a current ratio of 1.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28. The company has a market cap of $15.50 billion, a PE ratio of -53.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 1.61. TransUnion has a twelve month low of $42.09 and a twelve month high of $82.75.

TransUnion (NYSE:TRU) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 13th. The business services provider reported $0.80 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.72 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $954.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $927.04 million. TransUnion had a positive return on equity of 13.58% and a negative net margin of 7.50%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.70 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that TransUnion will post 3.3 EPS for the current fiscal year.

TransUnion Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 22nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 7th were paid a dividend of $0.105 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, March 6th. This represents a $0.42 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.53%. TransUnion’s dividend payout ratio is currently -28.19%.

About TransUnion

TransUnion operates as a global consumer credit reporting agency that provides risk and information solutions. The company operates in three segments: U.S. Markets, International, and Consumer Interactive. The U.S. Markets segment provides consumer reports, actionable insights, and analytic services to businesses, which uses its services to acquire new customers; assess consumer ability to pay for services; identify cross-selling opportunities; measure and manage debt portfolio risk; collect debt; verify consumer identities; and mitigate fraud risk.