Benchmark Raises Axcelis Technologies (NASDAQ:ACLS) Price Target to $180.00

Axcelis Technologies (NASDAQ:ACLS) had its target price increased by Benchmark from $170.00 to $180.00 in a research note released on Monday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have a buy rating on the semiconductor company’s stock.

ACLS has been the subject of several other research reports. B. Riley increased their target price on shares of Axcelis Technologies from $175.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, July 12th. Needham & Company LLC restated a hold rating on shares of Axcelis Technologies in a research note on Friday, July 12th. Bank of America raised their price objective on Axcelis Technologies from $125.00 to $150.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, July 10th. Finally, Craig Hallum upped their target price on Axcelis Technologies from $130.00 to $174.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, July 12th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $172.33.

Axcelis Technologies Trading Down 8.6 %

Shares of NASDAQ:ACLS opened at $134.74 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $4.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.10, a PEG ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 1.60. Axcelis Technologies has a 12 month low of $93.77 and a 12 month high of $201.00. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $128.79 and its 200 day simple moving average is $119.73. The company has a quick ratio of 2.87, a current ratio of 4.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05.

Axcelis Technologies (NASDAQ:ACLS) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 1st. The semiconductor company reported $1.57 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.26 by $0.31. The firm had revenue of $252.37 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $242.55 million. Axcelis Technologies had a return on equity of 30.22% and a net margin of 22.16%. As a group, research analysts forecast that Axcelis Technologies will post 6.47 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director John T. Kurtzweil sold 1,200 shares of Axcelis Technologies stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.42, for a total transaction of $137,304.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 33,146 shares in the company, valued at $3,792,565.32. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 1.43% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Axcelis Technologies

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Rakuten Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Axcelis Technologies during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in Axcelis Technologies by 109.4% during the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 266 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 139 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Axcelis Technologies by 100.7% during the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 305 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 153 shares during the period. Private Trust Co. NA grew its position in shares of Axcelis Technologies by 627.9% in the fourth quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 313 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 270 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Global Retirement Partners LLC grew its position in shares of Axcelis Technologies by 1,188.0% in the fourth quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 322 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 297 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.98% of the company’s stock.

Axcelis Technologies Company Profile

Axcelis Technologies, Inc designs, manufactures, and services ion implantation and other processing equipment used in the fabrication of semiconductor chips in the United States, Europe, and Asia Pacific. The company offers high energy, high current, and medium current implanters for various application requirements.