StockNews.com Initiates Coverage on Autoliv (NYSE:ALV)

Analysts at StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Autoliv (NYSE:ALV – Get Rating) in a report released on Thursday. The brokerage set a “buy” rating on the auto parts company’s stock.

Several other equities analysts have also issued reports on ALV. Robert W. Baird boosted their target price on Autoliv from $93.00 to $99.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, January 30th. Citigroup increased their price target on Autoliv from $87.00 to $97.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on Autoliv from $85.00 to $115.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 31st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their target price on shares of Autoliv from $94.00 to $112.00 in a report on Monday, January 30th. Finally, Barclays started coverage on shares of Autoliv in a report on Tuesday, February 14th. They issued an “equal weight” rating and a $100.00 price target for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Autoliv has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $99.33.

Autoliv Stock Performance

NYSE:ALV opened at $88.22 on Thursday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $88.26 and a 200 day moving average price of $81.68. The company has a quick ratio of 0.75, a current ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.60 billion, a PE ratio of 18.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.70. Autoliv has a 12-month low of $65.74 and a 12-month high of $96.49.

Autoliv (NYSE:ALV – Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 27th. The auto parts company reported $1.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.54 by $0.29. The company had revenue of $2.34 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.40 billion. Autoliv had a return on equity of 14.84% and a net margin of 4.80%. Research analysts anticipate that Autoliv will post 6.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Autoliv

In related news, insider Fredrik Westin sold 1,505 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $97.45, for a total transaction of $146,662.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 4,142 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $403,637.90. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, insider Magnus Jarlegren sold 402 shares of Autoliv stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $91.66, for a total value of $36,847.32. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 4,184 shares in the company, valued at $383,505.44. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Fredrik Westin sold 1,505 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $97.45, for a total value of $146,662.25. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 4,142 shares in the company, valued at approximately $403,637.90. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 2,865 shares of company stock valued at $269,670. 0.21% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its holdings in Autoliv by 51.4% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 22,346 shares of the auto parts company’s stock worth $1,708,000 after acquiring an additional 7,587 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. raised its stake in Autoliv by 7.5% during the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 3,092 shares of the auto parts company’s stock worth $236,000 after buying an additional 217 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its holdings in Autoliv by 2.0% in the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 107,903 shares of the auto parts company’s stock valued at $8,247,000 after buying an additional 2,073 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its position in Autoliv by 16.8% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 24,143 shares of the auto parts company’s stock valued at $1,845,000 after acquiring an additional 3,464 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Acadian Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Autoliv during the 1st quarter worth about $122,000. 46.63% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Autoliv Company Profile

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Autoliv, Inc engages in the development, manufacture, and supply of automotive safety systems. The firm’s products include passive safety systems, including modules and components for passenger and driver airbags, side airbags, curtain airbags, seatbelts and steering wheels. It also supplies anti-whiplash systems and pedestrian protection systems.