Mettler-Toledo International (NYSE:MTD) Reaches New 12-Month High – Still a Buy?

Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. (NYSE:MTD) shares reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday. The company traded as high as $1,666.41 and last traded at $1,661.1280, with a volume of 20,703 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1,634.01.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have weighed in on MTD shares. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,225.00 to $1,450.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,575.00 to $1,700.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 7th. Rothschild & Co Redburn assumed coverage on shares of Mettler-Toledo International in a research report on Wednesday, September 2nd. They issued a “sell” rating and a $1,200.00 price objective for the company. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,450.00 to $1,575.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 13th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada began coverage on shares of Mettler-Toledo International in a report on Tuesday, September 1st. They set a “sector perform” rating and a $1,515.00 target price on the stock. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Mettler-Toledo International currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $1,469.15.

Mettler-Toledo International Stock Up 1.8%

The stock has a market capitalization of $33.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.27 and a beta of 1.19. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $1,450.39 and a 200 day moving average of $1,319.57. The company has a current ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 159.45.

Mettler-Toledo International (NYSE:MTD) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 31st. The medical instruments supplier reported $11.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $10.78 by $0.68. Mettler-Toledo International had a net margin of 21.91% and a negative return on equity of 1,212.14%. The company had revenue of $1.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.03 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $10.09 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 4.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. will post 47.37 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Gerry Keller sold 240 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,427.14, for a total value of $342,513.60. Following the transaction, the insider owned 259 shares in the company, valued at approximately $369,629.26. The trade was a 48.10% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CFO Shawn Vadala sold 2,240 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,432.00, for a total value of $3,207,680.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 5,579 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $7,989,128. This trade represents a 28.65% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 4,254 shares of company stock worth $6,092,712. 0.71% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Mettler-Toledo International

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in MTD. Whipplewood Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Mettler-Toledo International in the first quarter worth $25,000. Reflection Asset Management bought a new stake in shares of Mettler-Toledo International in the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. bought a new stake in shares of Mettler-Toledo International in the 2nd quarter worth about $26,000. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Mettler-Toledo International in the 2nd quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, Root Financial Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 45.5% in the 1st quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC now owns 32 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 10 shares in the last quarter. 95.07% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Mettler-Toledo International Company Profile

Mettler-Toledo International Inc (NYSE: MTD) develops and manufactures precision instruments and related services for laboratory, industrial, and retail applications. Its products help customers weigh, measure, analyze, inspect, and control materials and processes with high accuracy.

The company’s laboratory offerings include balances and scales, analytical instruments, titration and pH systems, thermal analysis equipment, spectroscopy products, laboratory automation solutions, and associated software.