Natural Investments LLC Makes New $2.39 Million Investment in McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC)

Natural Investments LLC bought a new position in McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 31,385 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,392,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Van ECK Associates Corp lifted its holdings in shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 7.2% during the 3rd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 6,964 shares of the company’s stock worth $553,000 after acquiring an additional 465 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. lifted its stake in McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 8.9% during the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 308,903 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,423,000 after purchasing an additional 25,278 shares during the period. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new stake in McCormick & Company, Incorporated during the third quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Assetmark Inc. grew its stake in shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 165.5% in the 3rd quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 754 shares of the company’s stock valued at $62,000 after purchasing an additional 470 shares during the period. Finally, Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $204,000. 79.74% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

McCormick & Company, Incorporated Stock Up 1.9 %

McCormick & Company, Incorporated stock opened at $84.16 on Tuesday. McCormick & Company, Incorporated has a 52-week low of $66.88 and a 52-week high of $86.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 0.31 and a current ratio of 0.74. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $77.25 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $78.81. The firm has a market cap of $22.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.72, a PEG ratio of 3.76 and a beta of 0.71.

McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 23rd. The company reported $0.80 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.77 by $0.03. McCormick & Company, Incorporated had a net margin of 11.73% and a return on equity of 14.89%. Equities analysts predict that McCormick & Company, Incorporated will post 3.07 EPS for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages recently commented on MKC. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on McCormick & Company, Incorporated from $66.00 to $69.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated from $85.00 to $82.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 27th. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $85.00 to $91.00 in a research report on Monday, December 9th. Finally, TD Cowen raised McCormick & Company, Incorporated from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $86.00 to $90.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $83.75.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Margaret M. V. Preston sold 28,092 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $77.03, for a total transaction of $2,163,926.76. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 6,177 shares in the company, valued at approximately $475,814.31. This represents a 81.97 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 23.80% of the company’s stock.

McCormick & Company, Incorporated Profile

McCormick & Co, Inc engages in the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of spices, seasoning mixes, condiments, and other flavorful products to retail outlets, food manufacturers, and foodservice businesses. It operates through the Consumer and Flavor Solutions segments. The Consumer segment sells spices, seasonings, condiments, and sauces.