Janney Montgomery Scott LLC Increases Stake in Element Solutions Inc (NYSE:ESI)

On February 8, 2025, it was reported that Janney Montgomery Scott LLC has expanded its investment in Element Solutions Inc (NYSE:ESI) by purchasing an additional 5,431 shares. This increase represents a substantial 26.4% rise in the firm's holdings during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year. As of the most recent update submitted to the Securities & Exchange Commission, Janney Montgomery Scott now holds 25,987 shares valued at approximately $661,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their positions in Element Solutions recently. For instance, UMB Bank n.a. significantly boosted its stake by 98.8% in the fourth quarter, now owning 1,910 shares valued at about $49,000 after acquiring 949 additional shares. Trust Co. of Vermont made a new investment in Element Solutions worth approximately $43,000 during the same period. Additionally, Park Avenue Securities LLC increased its holding by 79.0%, now owning 60,612 shares valued at $1,541,000. Others, such as Assenagon Asset Management S.A., and Moody National Bank Trust Division, have also adjusted their investments, solidifying the interest of institutional investors in Element Solutions. Overall, these investment firms and other entities currently possess around 92.32% of Element Solutions' total stock.

Element Solutions Stock Overview

As of the last trading session on February 8, the stock for Element Solutions was priced at $25.36. The company has reached a 52-week low of $21.42 and a high of $29.78, showcasing some volatility in its stock price. The market capitalization stands at $6.14 billion with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 22.85, indicating its valuation in relation to earnings. The stock's PEG ratio is 2.19, and it bears a beta of 1.30, implying that the stock's price may be more volatile than the market. The fifty-day moving average is $26.12, with a 200-day moving average at $26.35. Operationally, Element Solutions boasts a quick ratio of 2.77 and a current ratio of 3.52, showcasing solid liquidity, while its debt-to-equity ratio is 0.78.

Dividend Information

Element Solutions also recently announced a quarterly dividend payment, which was distributed to shareholders on December 16. Shareholders who were on record as of December 2 received a payment of $0.08 per share, leading to an annualized dividend of $0.32 and a yield of 1.26%. The dividend payout ratio currently stands at 28.83%, indicating a healthy balance between profit distribution and reinvestment.

Recent Analyst Insights

Element Solutions has been featured in several analyst assessments recently. Truist Financial initiated coverage with a “hold” rating and a price target of $28.00 on January 28. In contrast, Barclays reduced its price target from $32.00 down to $30.00 while maintaining an “overweight” rating. Meanwhile, BMO Capital Markets elevated its target from $32.00 to $34.00, rating the stock as “outperform.” Seaport Res Ptn has upgraded Element Solutions to a “strong-buy” rating, highlighting positive sentiment in various research reports. On January 14, Bank of America reaffirmed a “neutral” rating at a reduced price target of $28.00. Overall, analysts view Element Solutions favorably, with a consensus rating categorized as “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $30.14.

Company Overview

About Element Solutions Inc

Element Solutions Inc functions as a specialty chemicals enterprise operating both in the United States and internationally, including regions like China. The company comprises two main segments: Electronics and Industrial & Specialty. The Electronics segment works on the research and formulation of specialty chemicals and materials specifically tailored for diverse electronic hardware products.

Investment, Stocks, Dividend