Handelsbanken Fonder AB Reduces Position in The Clorox Company $CLX

Handelsbanken Fonder AB trimmed its position in The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX) by 12.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 86,794 shares of the company’s stock after selling 11,919 shares during the quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB owned 0.07% of Clorox worth $10,702,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Total Investment Management Inc. bought a new stake in Clorox in the 2nd quarter worth $25,000. Center for Financial Planning Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Clorox during the third quarter worth about $25,000. NewSquare Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of Clorox by 567.6% in the second quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 227 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 193 shares during the last quarter. True Wealth Design LLC increased its holdings in Clorox by 1,020.0% during the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 224 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 204 shares during the period. Finally, Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new position in Clorox during the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.53% of the company’s stock.

Clorox Price Performance

Shares of CLX opened at $127.28 on Monday. The Clorox Company has a fifty-two week low of $96.66 and a fifty-two week high of $158.91. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $112.42 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $113.62. The stock has a market cap of $15.39 billion, a PE ratio of 20.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 71.03, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a current ratio of 0.74.

Clorox (NYSE:CLX) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The company reported $1.39 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.43 by ($0.04). Clorox had a net margin of 11.17% and a return on equity of 383.01%. The business 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 business posted $1.55 EPS. Clorox’s revenue for the quarter was down .8% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts anticipate that The Clorox Company will post 7.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Clorox Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 8th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 22nd will be paid a dividend of $1.24 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 22nd. This represents a $4.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.9%. Clorox’s payout ratio is presently 81.05%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on CLX shares. BNP Paribas Exane upgraded Clorox from an “underperform” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 11th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price target on shares of Clorox from $152.00 to $151.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price objective on shares of Clorox from $110.00 to $94.00 and set a “sell” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Evercore dropped their target price on shares of Clorox from $132.00 to $115.00 and set an “underperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, February 4th. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their price target on shares of Clorox from $108.00 to $111.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 4th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Reduce” and an average price target of $118.73.

About Clorox

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.