McHugh Group LLC Takes Position in Oracle Co. (NYSE:ORCL)

McHugh Group LLC bought a new position in Oracle Co. (NYSE:ORCL) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 7,084 shares of the enterprise software provider’s stock, valued at approximately $1,180,000. Oracle comprises 0.9% of McHugh Group LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 21st largest holding.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Oracle during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Winch Advisory Services LLC grew its position in Oracle by 89.7% during the fourth quarter. Winch Advisory Services LLC now owns 184 shares of the enterprise software provider’s stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 87 shares during the period. Reston Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Oracle during the third quarter worth about $44,000. Synergy Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Oracle in the fourth quarter worth about $47,000. Finally, Avondale Wealth Management bought a new stake in Oracle in the third quarter worth about $51,000. Institutional investors own 42.44% of the company’s stock.

Oracle Stock Up 2.2 %

NYSE ORCL opened at $171.52 on Thursday. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $170.83 and its 200-day moving average price is $164.05. The company has a market capitalization of $479.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.35 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.65. Oracle Co. has a 52 week low of $106.51 and a 52 week high of $198.31.

Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) last issued its earnings results on Monday, December 9th. The enterprise software provider reported $1.47 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.48 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $14.06 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.12 billion. Oracle had a return on equity of 133.25% and a net margin of 21.16%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 8.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.34 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Oracle Co. will post 5 earnings per share for the current year.

Oracle Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 9th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 23rd were paid a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 10th. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.93%. Oracle’s payout ratio is currently 39.12%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently commented on ORCL. StockNews.com raised shares of Oracle from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, February 1st. Monness Crespi & Hardt cut Oracle from a “neutral” rating to a “sell” rating and set a $130.00 price target for the company. in a research report on Friday, December 20th. Cantor Fitzgerald started coverage on Oracle in a report on Friday, January 17th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $214.00 price objective on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on Oracle from $155.00 to $175.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, Guggenheim upped their price target on Oracle from $200.00 to $220.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating, eighteen have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $182.73.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Safra Catz sold 345,174 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $185.56, for a total value of $64,050,487.44. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 1,118,592 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $207,565,931.52. This trade represents a 23.58 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 42.20% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Oracle Company Profile

Oracle Corporation offers products and services that address enterprise information technology environments worldwide. Its Oracle cloud software as a service offering include various cloud software applications, including Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP), Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise performance management, Oracle Fusion cloud supply chain and manufacturing management, Oracle Fusion cloud human capital management, Oracle Cerner healthcare, Oracle Advertising, and NetSuite applications suite, as well as Oracle Fusion Sales, Service, and Marketing.