NetEase, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTES) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

NetEase, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTES) has earned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the eleven brokerages that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and eight have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $152.3333.

Several analysts have weighed in on NTES shares. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and issued a $170.00 price target on shares of NetEase in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of NetEase from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Sunday, November 23rd. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of NetEase in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. Citigroup reissued a “buy” rating on shares of NetEase in a research note on Friday, November 21st. Finally, Barclays set a $135.00 price target on shares of NetEase and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday, November 21st.

NetEase Stock Up 0.7%

Shares of NTES opened at $138.07 on Friday. NetEase has a twelve month low of $87.67 and a twelve month high of $159.55. The stock has a market cap of $87.48 billion, a PE ratio of 17.63, a P/E/G ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 0.68. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $139.88 and its 200-day moving average price is $138.88.

NetEase Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 5th were paid a dividend of $0.57 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 5th. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.7%. NetEase’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 28.99%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On NetEase

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of NTES. NewSquare Capital LLC grew its holdings in NetEase by 137.2% in the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 185 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 107 shares during the last quarter. Private Trust Co. NA boosted its holdings in shares of NetEase by 266.0% during the second quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 194 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 141 shares during the period. USA Financial Formulas bought a new stake in shares of NetEase in the second quarter worth about $30,000. Reyes Financial Architecture Inc. increased its holdings in NetEase by 1,189.5% during the 2nd quarter. Reyes Financial Architecture Inc. now owns 245 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 226 shares during the period. Finally, Richardson Financial Services Inc. bought a new position in NetEase during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $33,000. 11.07% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About NetEase

NetEase, Inc (NASDAQ: NTES) is a Chinese technology company headquartered in Hangzhou that develops and operates Internet services and products. Founded in 1997 by William Ding (Ding Lei), the company has grown from an early web portal and e-mail provider into a diversified online services group. William Ding has served as the company’s founder and long-time leader, guiding its expansion into games, digital content and consumer services.

The company’s primary business is interactive entertainment: NetEase Games designs, develops and publishes PC and mobile games for domestic and international audiences, offering a mix of self-developed franchises and titles published under licensing and strategic partnerships.