Crane (NYSE:CR) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Crane (NYSE:CR) has received an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the six ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $174.80.

Several research firms have issued reports on CR. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price target on Crane from $176.00 to $170.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 24th. StockNews.com raised Crane from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday. DA Davidson increased their price target on Crane from $185.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. Finally, UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of Crane from $152.00 to $157.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, January 3rd.

Crane Trading Down 0.3 %

Shares of CR stock opened at $172.71 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $162.03 and a 200 day simple moving average of $159.51. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.88, a P/E/G ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 1.22. Crane has a fifty-two week low of $118.48 and a fifty-two week high of $188.52. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29.

Crane (NYSE:CR) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, January 27th. The conglomerate reported $1.26 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.19 by $0.07. Crane had a net margin of 13.10% and a return on equity of 24.45%. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.90 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Crane will post 7.87 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Crane Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 12th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be issued a $0.23 dividend. This is an increase from Crane’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.21. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. This represents a $0.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.53%. Crane’s dividend payout ratio is currently 18.18%.

Institutional Trading of Crane

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Matrix Trust Co purchased a new stake in Crane in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Crane during the third quarter worth $28,000. ORG Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Crane during the third quarter valued at $30,000. UMB Bank n.a. increased its position in Crane by 81.8% in the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 220 shares of the conglomerate’s stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quarry LP purchased a new stake in shares of Crane during the 3rd quarter worth about $37,000. 75.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Crane Company Profile

Crane Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells engineered industrial products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Aerospace & Electronics, Process Flow Technologies, and Engineered Materials.