The Clorox Company $CLX Stake Raised by Gotham Asset Management LLC

Gotham Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX) by 117.5% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 274,454 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 148,274 shares during the quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC owned about 0.22% of Clorox worth $33,840,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Center for Financial Planning Inc. acquired a new position in Clorox during the 3rd quarter worth $25,000. Total Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Clorox during the second quarter valued at $25,000. True Wealth Design LLC raised its stake in shares of Clorox by 1,020.0% during the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 224 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 204 shares in the last quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Clorox during the third quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, Bank & Trust Co acquired a new stake in Clorox in the third quarter worth about $30,000. 78.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Clorox Stock Performance

Shares of CLX opened at $112.09 on Tuesday. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $115.87 and its 200-day moving average is $113.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.32, a P/E/G ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 71.03, a current ratio of 0.74 and a quick ratio of 0.48. The Clorox Company has a 12-month low of $96.66 and a 12-month high of $150.84.

Clorox (NYSE:CLX) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The company reported $1.39 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.43 by ($0.04). The business had revenue of $1.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.64 billion. Clorox had a net margin of 11.17% and a return on equity of 383.01%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down .8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.55 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that The Clorox Company will post 7.15 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Clorox Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 8th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 22nd will be given a dividend of $1.24 per share. This represents a $4.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.4%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 22nd. Clorox’s dividend payout ratio is 81.05%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have commented on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their target price on shares of Clorox from $152.00 to $151.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Clorox from $115.00 to $121.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Clorox from $125.00 to $136.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Thursday, February 5th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Clorox from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research note on Monday, March 2nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Clorox from $114.00 to $117.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 4th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and an average price target of $118.73.

Clorox Company Profile

The Clorox Company is a leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products designed to help people care for their homes and live healthy, sustainable lives. Its portfolio spans cleaning and household products, food and beverages, water filtration systems and cat litter, serving both retail and institutional customers. The company’s flagship bleach and disinfecting products are well known in the United States and many international markets, where they help prevent the spread of germs in homes, hospitals, schools and businesses.

Clorox’s diverse brand lineup includes liquid bleach and surface cleaners, eco-friendly cleaning tools, food preservation and preparation items, charcoal grills and briquettes, specialty foods and beverages, pet care products and personal care lines.