Aviva PLC Has $32.85 Million Stake in Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB)

Aviva PLC reduced its holdings in Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB) by 14.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 856,853 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after selling 149,933 shares during the quarter. Aviva PLC owned about 0.06% of Schlumberger worth $32,852,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd increased its position in Schlumberger by 32.2% in the 4th quarter. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd now owns 71,390 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $2,737,000 after buying an additional 17,405 shares during the period. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Schlumberger in the fourth quarter worth $16,422,000. Islay Capital Management LLC increased its position in Schlumberger by 8.2% during the fourth quarter. Islay Capital Management LLC now owns 28,713 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $1,101,000 after acquiring an additional 2,188 shares during the period. Smith Moore & CO. raised its stake in Schlumberger by 11.9% during the 4th quarter. Smith Moore & CO. now owns 20,482 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $785,000 after purchasing an additional 2,182 shares during the last quarter. Finally, World Investment Advisors boosted its holdings in Schlumberger by 12.2% in the 4th quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 5,582 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $215,000 after purchasing an additional 609 shares during the period. 81.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Schlumberger Price Performance

Shares of SLB stock opened at $34.77 on Monday. Schlumberger Limited has a 52 week low of $32.37 and a 52 week high of $55.65. The stock has a market capitalization of $47.28 billion, a PE ratio of 11.18, a PEG ratio of 10.10 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.45. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $41.02 and its 200-day moving average is $41.45.

Schlumberger (NYSE:SLB) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 17th. The oil and gas company reported $0.92 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.90 by $0.02. Schlumberger had a net margin of 12.29% and a return on equity of 21.90%. The firm had revenue of $9.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.24 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.86 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 3.3% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that Schlumberger Limited will post 3.38 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Schlumberger Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 3rd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 5th were issued a dividend of $0.285 per share. This is an increase from Schlumberger’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.28. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 5th. This represents a $1.14 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.28%. Schlumberger’s dividend payout ratio is currently 36.66%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Schlumberger

In other news, Director Vijay Kasibhatla sold 25,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $43.94, for a total value of $1,098,500.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 49,595 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,179,204.30. This trade represents a 33.51 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, VP Ugo Prechner sold 7,000 shares of Schlumberger stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.20, for a total transaction of $309,400.00. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 11,240 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $496,808. This represents a 38.38 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 315,905 shares of company stock worth $13,609,283. Insiders own 0.26% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently commented on SLB. Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of Schlumberger from $50.00 to $54.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 21st. Evercore ISI reiterated an “in-line” rating and issued a $44.00 price objective (down previously from $62.00) on shares of Schlumberger in a research report on Wednesday, January 15th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on Schlumberger from $49.00 to $46.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, December 17th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $57.00 target price on shares of Schlumberger in a research report on Tuesday, January 21st. Finally, Barclays lowered their price target on shares of Schlumberger from $54.00 to $53.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, March 31st. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Schlumberger presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $54.79.

Schlumberger Profile

Schlumberger Limited engages in the provision of technology for the energy industry worldwide. The company operates through four divisions: Digital & Integration, Reservoir Performance, Well Construction, and Production Systems. The company provides field development and hydrocarbon production, carbon management, and integration of adjacent energy systems; reservoir interpretation and data processing services for exploration data; and well construction and production improvement services and products.