Avanza Fonder AB Sells 6,687 Shares of Oracle Co. (NYSE:ORCL)

Avanza Fonder AB lessened its position in shares of Oracle Co. (NYSE:ORCL) by 5.5% in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 115,411 shares of the enterprise software provider’s stock after selling 6,687 shares during the quarter. Oracle comprises about 0.6% of Avanza Fonder AB’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 25th biggest holding. Avanza Fonder AB’s holdings in Oracle were worth $16,834,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. First National Bank of Mount Dora Trust Investment Services acquired a new stake in Oracle in the first quarter valued at approximately $7,006,000. Ameliora Wealth Management Ltd. purchased a new stake in Oracle in the first quarter valued at $157,000. Crescent Sterling Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Oracle in the 1st quarter valued at $280,000. Simplicity Wealth LLC raised its holdings in shares of Oracle by 289.2% in the 1st quarter. Simplicity Wealth LLC now owns 25,690 shares of the enterprise software provider’s stock valued at $3,592,000 after buying an additional 19,090 shares during the period. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in shares of Oracle by 8.1% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 34,011 shares of the enterprise software provider’s stock valued at $4,755,000 after buying an additional 2,546 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 42.44% of the company’s stock.

Oracle Trading Up 1.8%

Shares of ORCL stock opened at $177.19 on Tuesday. Oracle Co. has a fifty-two week low of $118.86 and a fifty-two week high of $198.31. The company has a market cap of $495.60 billion, a PE ratio of 43.32, a P/E/G ratio of 3.46 and a beta of 1.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.65, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a current ratio of 0.81. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $147.83 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $160.13.

Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, March 10th. The enterprise software provider reported $1.47 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.49 by ($0.02). Oracle had a return on equity of 133.25% and a net margin of 21.16%. The business had revenue of $14.13 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.40 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.41 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 6.4% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that Oracle Co. will post 5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Oracle

In other Oracle news, Director Leon E. Panetta sold 17,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $151.24, for a total value of $2,646,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 58,090 shares in the company, valued at $8,785,531.60. This trade represents a 23.15% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Naomi O. Seligman sold 2,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $145.81, for a total transaction of $291,620.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 34,630 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,049,400.30. This trade represents a 5.46% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 27,366 shares of company stock valued at $4,015,723 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 42.20% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Guggenheim restated a “buy” rating and set a $220.00 price target on shares of Oracle in a report on Thursday, June 5th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of Oracle in a research note on Monday. Wall Street Zen downgraded Oracle from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 19th. Stephens initiated coverage on Oracle in a research report on Wednesday, March 19th. They issued an “equal weight” rating and a $167.00 price target for the company. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on Oracle from $190.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seventeen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Oracle presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $177.35.

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.