Stifel Financial Corp Acquires $765.39 Million Stake in Procter & Gamble

Stifel Financial Corp has recently increased its investment in The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG) by 0.2% during the third quarter of the year, according to its latest filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). After purchasing an additional 9,901 shares, Stifel Financial now owns a total of 4,418,994 shares of Procter & Gamble stock. This investment represents a significant portion of Stifel's portfolio, accounting for about 0.8% of its overall investments and making it the 16th largest holding in their portfolio. As of the most recent filing, Stifel's stake in Procter & Gamble is valued at approximately $765,385,000.

Several other institutional investors have also adjusted their stakes in Procter & Gamble recently. For instance, Acorn Creek Capital LLC increased its holdings by 2.8%, resulting in ownership of 2,170 shares valued at around $376,000 after adding 59 shares. Similarly, Patrick M Sweeney & Associates Inc. raised its stake by 1.1% and now owns 5,561 shares valued at $963,000 after acquiring an additional 59 shares in the same period. Hudson Value Partners LLC also made moves, lifting its investment by 4.1% during the previous quarter. Additionally, both Traveka Wealth LLC and Allen Mooney & Barnes Investment Advisors LLC reported smaller increases in their positions as well. Overall, institutional investors and hedge funds currently own 65.77% of Procter & Gamble's stock.

Stock Performance Overview

On Thursday, Procter & Gamble shares opened at $175.11. The company exhibits a quick ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 0.75, and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. In terms of pricing, the 50-day moving average is $170.70, and the 200-day average stands at $169.29. Over the past year, the stock has experienced a low of $142.50 and a high of $180.43. Currently, Procter & Gamble holds a market capitalization of $412.39 billion, showcasing a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 30.19 and a P/E to growth (P/E/G) ratio of 3.78.

Procter & Gamble recently reported its quarterly earnings as of October 18th, where it posted an earnings per share (EPS) of $1.93. This result surpassed analysts' expectations that predicted an EPS of $1.90. However, the company's revenue for the quarter reached $21.74 billion, which was slightly lower than the anticipated $21.99 billion. Compared to the same quarter last year, this year’s revenue reflects a decrease of 0.6%.

Dividend Announcement

The company also announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid out on November 15th. Following the dividend declaration, which was set at $1.0065 per share, this amounts to an annualized dividend of $4.03, yielding 2.30%. Notably, Procter & Gamble's dividend payout ratio (DPR) currently stands at 69.48%.

Analysts' Forecasts and Ratings

Numerous analysts have shared their insights regarding Procter & Gamble’s stock. Recently, Morgan Stanley raised its price target for the stock from $174 to $191, giving it an 'overweight' rating as per their report dated October 21st. Royal Bank of Canada maintained a 'sector perform' rating with a target price of $164. Meanwhile, Barclays lowered its rating from 'overweight' to 'equal weight,' setting a target of $163. DA Davidson increased their outlook, raising their recommendation from 'neutral' to 'buy' while bumping the target price from $160 to $209. DZ Bank also activated a 'buy' rating with a target price of $190. Currently, eight analysts have rated the stock with a 'hold,' fourteen analysts have issued 'buy' ratings, while two analysts have recommended a 'strong buy.' The consensus price target stands at $180.45, reflecting a 'Moderate Buy' rating.

Insider Activity

In recent insider trading news, CEO Jon R. Moeller sold 7,007 shares on October 2nd at an average price of $171.65. This transaction amounted to roughly $1.2 million. Following the sale, Moeller’s remaining ownership in the company dropped to 269,172 shares worth approximately $46.2 million—a decrease of 2.54% in his stake. Additionally, insider Susan Street Whaley sold 634 shares on the same day, with a total sale value of about $108,826, reflecting a 3.17% decrease in her holdings. Over the past three months, company insiders have sold 83,080 shares valued at around $14.6 million, with corporate insiders owning approximately 0.18% of the shares.

Company Overview

The Procter & Gamble Company is engaged in the production and distribution of branded consumer packaged goods globally. The company operates through five main segments: Beauty, Grooming, Health Care, Fabric & Home Care, and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. The Beauty segment includes well-known brands for shampoos and conditioners, as well as personal care products.

Investment, Stock, Dividend