Sapient Capital LLC Purchases Shares of 1,823 The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX)

Sapient Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 1,823 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $260,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of CLX. First National Bank of Mount Dora Trust Investment Services boosted its holdings in shares of Clorox by 3.2% in the 4th quarter. First National Bank of Mount Dora Trust Investment Services now owns 2,257 shares of the company’s stock valued at $322,000 after buying an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. Modera Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Clorox by 1.4% during the third quarter. Modera Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,130 shares of the company’s stock worth $672,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. Czech National Bank lifted its holdings in shares of Clorox by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 21,718 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,097,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares during the last quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of Clorox by 7.2% in the 4th quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 1,089 shares of the company’s stock valued at $156,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares during the period. Finally, West Branch Capital LLC grew its stake in Clorox by 9.3% during the 4th quarter. West Branch Capital LLC now owns 903 shares of the company’s stock worth $129,000 after buying an additional 77 shares during the last quarter. 78.53% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Clorox Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:CLX opened at $141.18 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $17.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 73.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 0.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.73, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.53. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $148.00 and its 200-day simple moving average is $143.67. The Clorox Company has a 12 month low of $114.68 and a 12 month high of $170.43.

Clorox (NYSE:CLX) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, April 30th. The company reported $1.71 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.33 by $0.38. Clorox had a return on equity of 302.49% and a net margin of 3.33%. The company had revenue of $1.81 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.87 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.51 earnings per share. Clorox’s quarterly revenue was down 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts forecast that The Clorox Company will post 5.83 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Clorox Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 10th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 24th will be issued a dividend of $1.20 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, April 23rd. This represents a $4.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.40%. Clorox’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 248.71%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on CLX shares. Morgan Stanley reissued an “equal weight” rating and issued a $160.00 price objective on shares of Clorox in a report on Tuesday, March 26th. DA Davidson reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $162.00 price objective on shares of Clorox in a research report on Wednesday, April 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Clorox in a research note on Friday, March 1st. They set a “sell” rating and a $140.00 target price for the company. Citigroup reduced their price objective on Clorox from $155.00 to $150.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, May 1st. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their target price on Clorox from $155.00 to $151.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 17th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and thirteen have issued a hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $146.43.

Clorox Profile

The Clorox Company manufactures and markets consumer and professional products worldwide. It operates through four segments: Health and Wellness, Household, Lifestyle, and International. The Health and Wellness segment offers cleaning products, such as laundry additives and home care products primarily under the Clorox, Clorox2, Scentiva, Pine-Sol, Liquid-Plumr, Tilex, and Formula 409 brands; professional cleaning and disinfecting products under the CloroxPro and Clorox Healthcare brands; professional food service products under the Hidden Valley brand; and vitamins, minerals and supplement products under the RenewLife, Natural Vitality, NeoCell, and Rainbow Light brands in the United States.