Saudi Central Bank Increases Stock Holdings in Rockwell Automation, Inc. $ROK

Saudi Central Bank increased its stake in shares of Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK) by 89.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 7,865 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after acquiring an additional 3,715 shares during the period. Saudi Central Bank’s holdings in Rockwell Automation were worth $3,894,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Angeles Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Rockwell Automation during the second quarter valued at approximately $264,000. Advisory Solutions Group LLC purchased a new position in Rockwell Automation in the 2nd quarter valued at about $867,000. NBH Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Rockwell Automation during the second quarter worth about $70,000. AlphaGrep UK Ltd purchased a new position in Rockwell Automation in the second quarter valued at about $344,000. Finally, Syon Capital LLC grew its stake in Rockwell Automation by 16.6% during the 2nd quarter. Syon Capital LLC now owns 2,467 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $1,221,000 after purchasing an additional 352 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.75% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on ROK shares. Citigroup dropped their price target on Rockwell Automation from $555.00 to $536.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. Evercore set a $485.00 target price on shares of Rockwell Automation in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Rockwell Automation from $525.00 to $545.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Robert W. Baird set a $514.00 price target on shares of Rockwell Automation in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Finally, DA Davidson lowered their price objective on shares of Rockwell Automation from $500.00 to $490.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 21st. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $469.14.

Key Stories Impacting Rockwell Automation

Here are the key news stories impacting Rockwell Automation this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Analysts raised most forward EPS estimates. Zacks Research increased its forecasts for Q4 2026, Q2-Q4 2027, FY2026, FY2027, Q3 2028 and FY2028. The firm now expects $13.17 EPS for FY2026, $14.39 for FY2027 and $16.78 for FY2028, suggesting improving expectations for Rockwell Automation’s longer-term earnings growth.
• Positive Sentiment: Morgan Stanley maintained a Buy rating. The continued bullish view from a major brokerage provides supportive sentiment for ROK, although the broader analyst consensus remains Hold. Morgan Stanley Remains a Buy on Rockwell Automation
• Positive Sentiment: Recent operating results and capital returns remain supportive. Rockwell’s latest quarter exceeded EPS and revenue expectations, with revenue up 7.9% year over year. The company also has authorization for up to $1 billion in share repurchases and pays a quarterly dividend, which may enhance shareholder returns.
• Neutral Sentiment: The investment case is constructive but not uniformly bullish. Zacks maintained a Hold rating, and the consensus target of approximately $469.14 implies potential upside but also reflects caution at ROK’s current valuation. A recent comparison of Rockwell with other Internet of Things companies may influence sector sentiment but provides no clear company-specific catalyst. Q2 earnings highlights: Rockwell Automation vs. Internet of Things stocks
• Negative Sentiment: One near-term EPS estimate was trimmed. Zacks lowered its Q1 2027 forecast to $2.93 from $2.97, partially offsetting the broader upward revisions.
• Negative Sentiment: An executive sold shares. SVP Matheus Bulho sold 400 shares for about $168,056 after selling 467 shares earlier. Because the transactions were conducted under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plan, they are a limited bearish signal. Rockwell Automation insider share sale

Insider Buying and Selling at Rockwell Automation

In related news, Director Patricia Watson sold 1,100 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $431.43, for a total value of $474,573.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 6,385 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,754,680.55. This represents a 14.70% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CFO Christian Rothe sold 590 shares of Rockwell Automation stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $434.30, for a total value of $256,237.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 10,429 shares in the company, valued at $4,529,314.70. The trade was a 5.35% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Insiders have sold 2,557 shares of company stock valued at $1,098,256 in the last 90 days. 0.76% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Rockwell Automation Trading Up 0.1%

NYSE:ROK opened at $434.18 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $48.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.69, a P/E/G ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 1.52. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $453.91 and its 200 day moving average price is $428.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 1.08. Rockwell Automation, Inc. has a 52 week low of $332.71 and a 52 week high of $497.36.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The industrial products company reported $3.49 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.38 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $2.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.24 billion. Rockwell Automation had a net margin of 13.39% and a return on equity of 39.83%. The business’s revenue was up 7.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.82 EPS. Rockwell Automation has set its FY 2026 guidance at 13.000-13.300 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Rockwell Automation, Inc. will post 13.23 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Rockwell Automation Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 17th will be given a dividend of $1.38 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 17th. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.3%. Rockwell Automation’s payout ratio is currently 51.73%.

Rockwell Automation declared that its board has initiated a stock repurchase program on Tuesday, June 9th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the industrial products company to repurchase up to 2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are usually a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

About Rockwell Automation

Rockwell Automation is a global industrial automation and digital transformation company headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The firm designs, manufactures and supports control systems, industrial control hardware and software, and related services that help manufacturers and industrial operators automate processes, improve productivity and enable data-driven decision making. Rockwell traces its heritage to the Allen-Bradley and Rockwell automation businesses and positions itself as a provider of integrated automation solutions across discrete and process industries.

The company’s product portfolio includes programmable logic controllers (PLCs), human-machine interfaces (HMIs), variable frequency drives, sensors, safety components and other industrial control hardware, often marketed under the Allen-Bradley brand.