Graham (NYSE:GHC) Reaches New 52-Week High – Still a Buy?

Graham Holdings (NYSE:GHC)’s share price reached a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $988.26 and last traded at $949.03, with a volume of 12317 shares. The stock had previously closed at $911.45.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Graham from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, November 4th.

Graham Price Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $4.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.51 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a current ratio of 1.57, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $906.79 and a 200-day moving average price of $859.42.

Graham Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 20th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 3rd were paid a dividend of $1.80 per share. This represents a $7.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.76%. This is a positive change from Graham’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.72. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 3rd. Graham’s payout ratio is presently 14.10%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Graham

In related news, CAO Marcel A. Snyman sold 159 shares of Graham stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $881.30, for a total transaction of $140,126.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 442 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $389,534.60. The trade was a 26.46 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 20.50% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Graham

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Forum Financial Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of Graham in the fourth quarter worth approximately $1,517,000. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC grew its position in Graham by 22.4% in the 4th quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 6,551 shares of the company’s stock valued at $5,712,000 after acquiring an additional 1,199 shares during the last quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC increased its stake in Graham by 38.5% in the fourth quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 1,058 shares of the company’s stock worth $922,000 after purchasing an additional 294 shares during the period. Nomura Holdings Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Graham during the fourth quarter valued at $389,000. Finally, Millennium Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Graham by 16.8% in the fourth quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 5,891 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,136,000 after purchasing an additional 847 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.16% of the company’s stock.

About Graham

Graham Holdings Company, through its subsidiaries, operates as a diversified education and media company in the United States and internationally. It provides test preparation services and materials; professional training and exam preparation for professional certifications and licensures; and non-academic operations support services to the Purdue University Global; operations support services for online courses and programs; training and test preparation services for accounting and financial services professionals; English-language training, academic preparation programs, and test preparation for English proficiency exams; and A-level examination preparation services, as well as operates colleges, business school, higher education institution, and an online learning institution.