Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund Sells 33,875 Shares of The Clorox Company $CLX

Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund decreased its stake in shares of The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX) by 38.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 54,378 shares of the company’s stock after selling 33,875 shares during the quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund’s holdings in Clorox were worth $6,705,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Savvy Advisors Inc. grew its position in Clorox by 1.4% during the second quarter. Savvy Advisors Inc. now owns 6,395 shares of the company’s stock worth $768,000 after buying an additional 91 shares in the last quarter. Canandaigua National Bank & Trust Co. raised its holdings in Clorox by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. Canandaigua National Bank & Trust Co. now owns 11,196 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,380,000 after acquiring an additional 94 shares in the last quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System raised its holdings in Clorox by 0.3% in the 2nd quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 33,551 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,028,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its position in shares of Clorox by 8.5% in the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,333 shares of the company’s stock worth $164,000 after acquiring an additional 104 shares during the period. Finally, Westhampton Capital LLC grew its holdings in shares of Clorox by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter. Westhampton Capital LLC now owns 23,150 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,854,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.53% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Clorox news, Director Pierre R. Breber bought 4,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 21st. The shares were bought at an average price of $104.13 per share, for a total transaction of $416,520.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director owned 13,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,353,690. This trade represents a 44.44% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.63% of the company’s stock.

Clorox Trading Up 1.0%

Shares of Clorox stock opened at $125.86 on Friday. The Clorox Company has a 12-month low of $96.66 and a 12-month high of $159.04. The stock has a market capitalization of $15.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.61 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $107.63 and a 200 day simple moving average of $113.73. The company has a quick ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 71.03.

Clorox (NYSE:CLX) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 3rd. The company reported $1.39 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.43 by ($0.04). Clorox had a return on equity of 383.01% and a net margin of 11.17%.The firm had revenue of $1.67 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.64 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.55 earnings per share. Clorox’s quarterly revenue was down .8% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts expect that The Clorox Company will post 7.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Clorox Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 13th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, January 28th were given a $1.24 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, January 28th. This represents a $4.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.9%. Clorox’s payout ratio is presently 81.05%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

CLX has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Citigroup upped their target price on Clorox from $109.00 to $115.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. TD Cowen increased their price objective on shares of Clorox from $108.00 to $111.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Zacks Research raised shares of Clorox from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 26th. Barclays reissued an “underweight” rating and issued a $109.00 target price on shares of Clorox in a research note on Friday, January 16th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price target on shares of Clorox from $114.00 to $112.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Clorox presently has an average rating of “Reduce” and an average price target of $118.07.

Clorox Profile

The Clorox Company is a leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products designed to help people care for their homes and live healthy, sustainable lives. Its portfolio spans cleaning and household products, food and beverages, water filtration systems and cat litter, serving both retail and institutional customers. The company’s flagship bleach and disinfecting products are well known in the United States and many international markets, where they help prevent the spread of germs in homes, hospitals, schools and businesses.

Clorox’s diverse brand lineup includes liquid bleach and surface cleaners, eco-friendly cleaning tools, food preservation and preparation items, charcoal grills and briquettes, specialty foods and beverages, pet care products and personal care lines.