Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH Raises Stock Position in Quaker Houghton $KWR

Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH grew its holdings in Quaker Houghton (NYSE:KWR) by 12.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 33,163 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock after purchasing an additional 3,713 shares during the quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH’s holdings in Quaker Houghton were worth $4,557,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in KWR. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd purchased a new position in Quaker Houghton in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Quaker Houghton by 165.0% in the fourth quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 273 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 170 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Quaker Houghton by 284.8% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 304 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 225 shares in the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in Quaker Houghton by 87.1% in the third quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 348 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $46,000 after purchasing an additional 162 shares during the period. Finally, First Horizon Corp grew its stake in Quaker Houghton by 123.3% during the 4th quarter. First Horizon Corp now owns 355 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $49,000 after purchasing an additional 196 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.46% of the company’s stock.

Quaker Houghton Stock Down 0.8%

KWR stock opened at $139.47 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 2.42, a quick ratio of 1.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. Quaker Houghton has a twelve month low of $99.18 and a twelve month high of $183.01. The company’s 50 day moving average is $134.18 and its two-hundred day moving average is $140.84. The stock has a market cap of $2.42 billion, a P/E ratio of -1,162.15, a PEG ratio of 0.88 and a beta of 1.43.

Quaker Houghton (NYSE:KWR) last issued its earnings results on Monday, February 23rd. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.71 by ($0.06). The company had revenue of $468.48 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $465.17 million. Quaker Houghton had a negative net margin of 0.13% and a positive return on equity of 8.99%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.33 EPS. Research analysts expect that Quaker Houghton will post 7.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Quaker Houghton Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, April 16th will be paid a $0.508 dividend. This represents a $2.03 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.5%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 16th. Quaker Houghton’s dividend payout ratio is currently -1,691.67%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price target on Quaker Houghton from $184.00 to $151.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 24th. Seaport Research Partners raised Quaker Houghton from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $175.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Friday, April 17th. Zacks Research lowered shares of Quaker Houghton from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 22nd. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Quaker Houghton from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Sunday, April 12th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price target on shares of Quaker Houghton from $203.00 to $175.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 6th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $163.00.

About Quaker Houghton

Quaker Houghton is a global provider of process fluids, chemical specialties and sustainable solutions for industrial applications. The company develops and supplies metalworking fluids, coatings, and corrosion inhibitors, as well as heat transfer, lubrication and additive products designed to improve productivity and extend equipment life. Its portfolio addresses a range of end markets including automotive, aerospace, defense, energy, mining, agriculture and heavy industry.

The company traces its roots back to the founding of Quaker Chemical Corporation in 1918 and Houghton International in 1865.