Generali Investments Management Co LLC Makes New Investment in The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD)

Generali Investments Management Co LLC purchased a new position in shares of The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 11,563 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock, valued at approximately $4,498,000. Home Depot comprises approximately 1.2% of Generali Investments Management Co LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 20th largest holding.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. GM Advisory Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Home Depot by 8.3% in the 4th quarter. GM Advisory Group LLC now owns 5,928 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock valued at $2,306,000 after acquiring an additional 454 shares during the last quarter. Investment House LLC lifted its stake in shares of Home Depot by 1.2% in the 4th quarter. Investment House LLC now owns 15,716 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock valued at $6,113,000 after acquiring an additional 183 shares during the last quarter. Vinva Investment Management Ltd lifted its stake in shares of Home Depot by 29.1% in the 4th quarter. Vinva Investment Management Ltd now owns 37,751 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock valued at $14,701,000 after acquiring an additional 8,499 shares during the last quarter. Stokes Family Office LLC lifted its stake in shares of Home Depot by 6.9% in the 4th quarter. Stokes Family Office LLC now owns 19,510 shares of the home improvement retailer’s stock valued at $7,589,000 after acquiring an additional 1,260 shares during the last quarter. Finally, North Forty Two & Co. bought a new stake in shares of Home Depot in the 4th quarter valued at about $458,000. Institutional investors own 70.86% of the company’s stock.

Home Depot Stock Performance

Home Depot stock opened at $349.39 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.65. The company has a market capitalization of $347.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.74, a PEG ratio of 4.03 and a beta of 1.09. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $396.03 and its 200 day moving average is $399.40. The Home Depot, Inc. has a twelve month low of $323.77 and a twelve month high of $439.37.

Home Depot (NYSE:HD) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 25th. The home improvement retailer reported $3.13 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.04 by $0.09. Home Depot had a return on equity of 452.60% and a net margin of 9.45%. The company had revenue of $39.70 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $39.15 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.82 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 14.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that The Home Depot, Inc. will post 15.13 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Home Depot Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 27th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 13th will be paid a dividend of $2.30 per share. This represents a $9.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.63%. This is an increase from Home Depot’s previous quarterly dividend of $2.25. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 13th. Home Depot’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 61.66%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

HD has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Robert W. Baird lowered their price target on Home Depot from $440.00 to $430.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, February 26th. KGI Securities raised Home Depot to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, March 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Home Depot from $450.00 to $475.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, February 10th. Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $455.00 price target on shares of Home Depot in a research report on Wednesday, February 26th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Home Depot from $440.00 to $450.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-two have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Home Depot currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $436.50.

Home Depot Profile

The Home Depot, Inc operates as a home improvement retailer in the United States and internationally. It sells various building materials, home improvement products, lawn and garden products, and décor products, as well as facilities maintenance, repair, and operations products. The company also offers installation services for flooring, water heaters, bath, garage doors, cabinets, cabinet makeovers, countertops, sheds, furnaces and central air systems, and windows.