Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) has earned a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty brokerages that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, fifteen have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $388.1875.

Several analysts have recently commented on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $422.00 price target on shares of Ralph Lauren in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Citigroup increased their target price on Ralph Lauren from $333.00 to $360.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, February 6th. Argus raised their price target on Ralph Lauren from $360.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Barclays set a $416.00 price objective on Ralph Lauren and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Finally, Guggenheim began coverage on Ralph Lauren in a research report on Tuesday, December 9th. They set a “neutral” rating for the company.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Patrice Louvet sold 47,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $354.22, for a total transaction of $16,648,340.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 85,552 shares in the company, valued at approximately $30,304,229.44. This trade represents a 35.46% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 38.34% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund increased its stake in Ralph Lauren by 0.7% in the fourth quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 4,425 shares of the textile maker’s stock valued at $1,565,000 after purchasing an additional 31 shares during the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in Ralph Lauren by 14.1% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 251 shares of the textile maker’s stock valued at $90,000 after buying an additional 31 shares during the period. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Ralph Lauren by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. now owns 11,762 shares of the textile maker’s stock valued at $3,688,000 after acquiring an additional 32 shares during the last quarter. Wedmont Private Capital increased its stake in shares of Ralph Lauren by 3.1% during the 3rd quarter. Wedmont Private Capital now owns 1,114 shares of the textile maker’s stock valued at $362,000 after acquiring an additional 34 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Ralph Lauren by 0.4% during the 3rd quarter. Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 9,311 shares of the textile maker’s stock worth $2,920,000 after acquiring an additional 34 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 67.91% of the company’s stock.

Ralph Lauren Trading Up 0.4%

Shares of RL stock opened at $370.58 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $22.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.23, a P/E/G ratio of 1.45 and a beta of 1.49. The company has a quick ratio of 1.52, a current ratio of 2.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. Ralph Lauren has a fifty-two week low of $176.61 and a fifty-two week high of $380.00. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $361.24 and a 200-day simple moving average of $334.47.

Ralph Lauren (NYSE:RL) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 5th. The textile maker reported $6.22 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.80 by $0.42. Ralph Lauren had a net margin of 11.73% and a return on equity of 37.97%. The business had revenue of $2.41 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.30 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $4.82 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 12.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts forecast that Ralph Lauren will post 12.01 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Ralph Lauren Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 26th were given a $0.9125 dividend. This represents a $3.65 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 26th. Ralph Lauren’s payout ratio is currently 24.85%.

Ralph Lauren Company Profile

Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE: RL) is a global designer, marketer and distributor of premium lifestyle products under the Ralph Lauren name and a portfolio of related brands. The company, founded by Ralph Lauren in 1967 and headquartered in New York City, has grown from a single line of men’s neckties into a global lifestyle business that spans apparel, accessories and home goods.

Ralph Lauren’s product assortment includes menswear, womenswear and childrenswear along with footwear, leather goods, eyewear, fragrances and home furnishings.