Baird Financial Group Inc. Acquires 1,320 Shares of Whirlpool Co. (NYSE:WHR)

Baird Financial Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Whirlpool Co. (NYSE:WHR) by 5.4% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 25,845 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,320 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc.’s holdings in Whirlpool were worth $2,959,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of WHR. Brown Lisle Cummings Inc. bought a new position in Whirlpool during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of Whirlpool during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its holdings in shares of Whirlpool by 323.1% during the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 275 shares of the company’s stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 210 shares during the period. Nemes Rush Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Whirlpool by 79.1% during the 4th quarter. Nemes Rush Group LLC now owns 274 shares of the company’s stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 121 shares during the period. Finally, Bogart Wealth LLC grew its holdings in shares of Whirlpool by 113.6% during the 4th quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 282 shares of the company’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 150 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 90.78% of the company’s stock.

Whirlpool Stock Performance

Whirlpool stock opened at $79.90 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62. The company has a market capitalization of $4.44 billion, a P/E ratio of -13.63 and a beta of 1.20. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $84.89 and its 200 day moving average is $102.91. Whirlpool Co. has a twelve month low of $73.72 and a twelve month high of $135.49.

Whirlpool (NYSE:WHR) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The company reported $1.70 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.67 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $3.62 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.67 billion. Whirlpool had a positive return on equity of 21.89% and a negative net margin of 1.95%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was down 19.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.78 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Whirlpool Co. will post 9.52 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Whirlpool Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, June 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 16th will be paid a dividend of $1.75 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 16th. This represents a $7.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 8.76%. Whirlpool’s dividend payout ratio is 5,000.00%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. StockNews.com downgraded Whirlpool from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Friday, April 25th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on Whirlpool from $125.00 to $138.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 14th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on Whirlpool from $109.00 to $89.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 28th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $101.00.

Whirlpool Company Profile

Whirlpool Corporation manufactures and markets home appliances and related products and services in the North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Asia. The company's principal products include refrigerators, freezers, ice makers, and refrigerator water filters; laundry appliances, and commercial laundry products and related laundry accessories; cooking and other small domestic appliances; and dishwasher appliances and related accessories, as well as mixers.