Millstone Evans Group LLC Makes New $28,000 Investment in Allegion plc (NYSE:ALLE)

Millstone Evans Group LLC purchased a new stake in Allegion plc (NYSE:ALLE) in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor purchased 211 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock, valued at approximately $28,000.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Brooklyn Investment Group acquired a new position in Allegion in the 3rd quarter worth $28,000. Atala Financial Inc bought a new stake in shares of Allegion in the fourth quarter valued at about $35,000. Private Trust Co. NA boosted its position in shares of Allegion by 56.1% during the fourth quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 320 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $42,000 after buying an additional 115 shares during the period. Tortoise Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Allegion by 78.0% during the fourth quarter. Tortoise Investment Management LLC now owns 388 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $51,000 after buying an additional 170 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its position in Allegion by 33.6% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 402 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $53,000 after buying an additional 101 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 92.21% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP Tracy L. Kemp sold 2,032 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.74, for a total value of $257,535.68. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 10,273 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,302,000.02. The trade was a 16.51 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, SVP David S. Ilardi sold 789 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.28, for a total transaction of $98,845.92. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 9,625 shares in the company, valued at $1,205,820. The trade was a 7.58 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 3,224 shares of company stock valued at $406,636. 0.33% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. StockNews.com downgraded Allegion from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, March 7th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Allegion from $137.00 to $139.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 19th. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Allegion from $134.00 to $130.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 19th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Allegion from $140.00 to $135.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 19th. Finally, Robert W. Baird dropped their target price on Allegion from $152.00 to $144.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and six have issued a hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Allegion currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $138.33.

Allegion Price Performance

NYSE:ALLE opened at $130.58 on Tuesday. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $129.72 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $136.41. Allegion plc has a 12-month low of $113.27 and a 12-month high of $156.10. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.15, a P/E/G ratio of 3.97 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a quick ratio of 1.43, a current ratio of 2.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32.

Allegion (NYSE:ALLE) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 18th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.75 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $945.60 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $938.91 million. Allegion had a return on equity of 45.12% and a net margin of 15.84%. On average, analysts anticipate that Allegion plc will post 7.77 earnings per share for the current year.

Allegion Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 14th will be given a $0.51 dividend. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.56%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th. This is a boost from Allegion’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.48. Allegion’s payout ratio is presently 29.91%.

Allegion Company Profile

Allegion plc manufactures and sells mechanical and electronic security products and solutions worldwide. The company offers door controls and systems and exit devices; locks, locksets, portable locks, and key systems and services; electronic security products and access control systems; time, attendance, and workforce productivity systems; doors, accessories, and other.