TransUnion (NYSE:TRU) Shares Gap Up on Analyst Upgrade

TransUnion (NYSE:TRU) gapped up prior to trading on Thursday after Needham & Company LLC raised their price target on the stock from $87.00 to $89.00. The stock had previously closed at $68.68, but opened at $76.36. Needham & Company LLC currently has a buy rating on the stock. TransUnion shares last traded at $74.90, with a volume of 1,475,059 shares changing hands.

Other analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $85.00 price objective on shares of TransUnion in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. StockNews.com raised shares of TransUnion from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on TransUnion from $69.00 to $84.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Evercore ISI upped their target price on TransUnion from $70.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an “in-line” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 26th. Finally, Oppenheimer raised their target price on TransUnion from $81.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 9th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $81.60.

Insider Buying and Selling at TransUnion

In related news, EVP Richard Dane Mauldin sold 1,500 shares of TransUnion stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $78.10, for a total value of $117,150.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 22,033 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,720,777.30. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, EVP Richard Dane Mauldin sold 1,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $78.10, for a total value of $117,150.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 22,033 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,720,777.30. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Timothy J. Martin sold 12,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $78.59, for a total value of $943,080.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 54,522 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,284,883.98. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 15,275 shares of company stock valued at $1,204,538. Company insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new position in shares of TransUnion in the third quarter worth about $1,063,000. Oak Thistle LLC purchased a new position in TransUnion in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,117,000. Simplicity Solutions LLC boosted its holdings in shares of TransUnion by 5.3% during the 3rd quarter. Simplicity Solutions LLC now owns 15,126 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $1,086,000 after purchasing an additional 764 shares during the last quarter. Copeland Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of TransUnion by 0.4% in the third quarter. Copeland Capital Management LLC now owns 351,413 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $25,228,000 after purchasing an additional 1,471 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Commonwealth Equity Services LLC increased its holdings in shares of TransUnion by 11.7% in the third quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 111,040 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $7,972,000 after purchasing an additional 11,607 shares during the last quarter.

TransUnion Stock Performance

The stock has a 50-day moving average of $76.38 and a 200 day moving average of $67.83. The stock has a market cap of $14.43 billion, a PE ratio of -49.86, a P/E/G ratio of 1.07 and a beta of 1.61. The company has a quick ratio of 1.47, a current ratio of 1.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28.

TransUnion (NYSE:TRU) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 13th. The business services provider reported $0.80 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.72 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $954.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $927.04 million. TransUnion had a positive return on equity of 13.58% and a negative net margin of 7.50%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.70 EPS. Equities analysts predict that TransUnion will post 3.31 EPS for the current fiscal year.

TransUnion Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 22nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 7th were issued a $0.105 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, March 6th. This represents a $0.42 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.57%. TransUnion’s payout ratio is -28.19%.

About TransUnion

TransUnion operates as a global consumer credit reporting agency that provides risk and information solutions. The company operates through U.S. Markets, International, and Consumer Interactive segments. The U.S. Markets segment provides consumer reports, actionable insights, and analytic services to businesses, which uses its services to acquire new customers; assess consumer ability to pay for services; identify cross-selling opportunities; measure and manage debt portfolio risk; collect debt; verify consumer identities; and mitigate fraud risk.