Graham (NYSE:GHC) Sees Strong Trading Volume – Still a Buy?

Graham Holdings (NYSE:GHC) shares saw unusually-high trading volume on Tuesday . Approximately 10,478 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 28% from the previous session’s volume of 14,567 shares.The stock last traded at $921.52 and had previously closed at $928.82.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded Graham from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, November 4th.

Graham Stock Up 1.6 %

The stock has a market capitalization of $4.03 billion, a PE ratio of 18.21 and a beta of 1.13. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $905.29 and its 200-day moving average is $839.08. The company has a quick ratio of 1.34, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18.

Graham Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 20th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 3rd will be given a dividend of $1.80 per share. This represents a $7.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.77%. This is a boost from Graham’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.72. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 3rd. Graham’s payout ratio is 13.47%.

Insider Activity

In related news, CAO Marcel A. Snyman sold 159 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $881.30, for a total value of $140,126.70. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 442 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $389,534.60. This trade represents a 26.46 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 32.30% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. lifted its position in Graham by 558.3% in the 3rd quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 79 shares of the company’s stock worth $65,000 after buying an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. KBC Group NV raised its stake in shares of Graham by 60.0% during the 3rd quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 104 shares of the company’s stock worth $85,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd grew its stake in shares of Graham by 8.4% in the 3rd quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 155 shares of the company’s stock valued at $128,000 after buying an additional 12 shares in the last quarter. Principal Securities Inc. increased its holdings in Graham by 30.0% in the fourth quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 182 shares of the company’s stock worth $159,000 after buying an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in Graham in the third quarter valued at approximately $168,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.16% of the company’s stock.

Graham Company Profile

Graham Holdings Company, through its subsidiaries, operates as a diversified education and media company in the United States and internationally. It provides test preparation services and materials; professional training and exam preparation for professional certifications and licensures; and non-academic operations support services to the Purdue University Global; operations support services for online courses and programs; training and test preparation services for accounting and financial services professionals; English-language training, academic preparation programs, and test preparation for English proficiency exams; and A-level examination preparation services, as well as operates colleges, business school, higher education institution, and an online learning institution.