DF Dent & Co. Inc. Purchases 33,595 Shares of Morningstar, Inc. (NASDAQ:MORN)

DF Dent & Co. Inc. increased its position in Morningstar, Inc. (NASDAQ:MORN) by 61.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 88,378 shares of the business services provider’s stock after buying an additional 33,595 shares during the quarter. DF Dent & Co. Inc. owned 0.21% of Morningstar worth $28,203,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. V Square Quantitative Management LLC acquired a new position in Morningstar in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Morningstar by 326.9% during the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 111 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 85 shares during the period. Crewe Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Morningstar in the second quarter worth $35,000. DT Investment Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Morningstar in the second quarter valued at $36,000. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC raised its position in Morningstar by 101.7% during the 3rd quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 121 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 57.02% of the company’s stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Chairman Joseph D. Mansueto sold 9,062 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $355.22, for a total transaction of $3,219,003.64. Following the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 10,738,224 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,814,431,929.28. This represents a 0.08 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director William M. Lyons sold 750 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $316.48, for a total value of $237,360.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 13,590 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,300,963.20. The trade was a 5.23 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 57,244 shares of company stock worth $19,288,505. 39.90% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Morningstar Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of NASDAQ:MORN opened at $358.02 on Friday. Morningstar, Inc. has a 1 year low of $269.51 and a 1 year high of $361.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.14. The business’s 50-day moving average is $339.65 and its 200-day moving average is $316.87. The company has a market capitalization of $15.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 47.29 and a beta of 1.19.

Morningstar (NASDAQ:MORN) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 23rd. The business services provider reported $2.00 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.01 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $569.40 million during the quarter. Morningstar had a net margin of 14.69% and a return on equity of 23.28%.

Morningstar Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 30th. Investors of record on Friday, April 4th will be paid a dividend of $0.455 per share. This is a positive change from Morningstar’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.41. This represents a $1.82 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.51%. Morningstar’s dividend payout ratio is currently 21.40%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the company. Redburn Atlantic lowered Morningstar from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $340.00 price target on the stock. in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. BMO Capital Markets reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $352.00 target price on shares of Morningstar in a report on Wednesday, August 28th. UBS Group initiated coverage on shares of Morningstar in a research report on Tuesday, October 8th. They set a “buy” rating and a $390.00 target price for the company. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Morningstar from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, December 2nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $360.67.

About Morningstar

Morningstar, Inc provides independent investment insights in the United States, Asia. Australia, Continental Europe, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates in five segments: Morningstar Data and Analytics; PitchBook; Morningstar Wealth; Morningstar Credit; and Morningstar Retirement.