Brookfield Asset Management Target of Unusually Large Options Trading (NYSE:BAM)

Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (NYSE:BAM) (TSE:BAM.A) was the recipient of some unusual options trading on Tuesday. Traders acquired 11,252 put options on the stock. This is an increase of 979% compared to the average volume of 1,043 put options.

Brookfield Asset Management Trading Down 1.0%

NYSE:BAM opened at $52.39 on Thursday. The company’s 50 day moving average is $52.41 and its 200-day moving average is $55.36. The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05. Brookfield Asset Management has a 12 month low of $41.78 and a 12 month high of $64.10. The firm has a market cap of $85.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.47, a P/E/G ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.40.

Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE:BAM) (TSE:BAM.A) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The financial services provider reported $0.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.41 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $1.39 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.40 billion. Brookfield Asset Management had a net margin of 51.59% and a return on equity of 29.67%. Equities analysts anticipate that Brookfield Asset Management will post 1.7 EPS for the current year.

Brookfield Asset Management Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Investors of record on Friday, February 27th will be paid a dividend of $0.5025 per share. This represents a $2.01 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.8%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. This is a positive change from Brookfield Asset Management’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.44. Brookfield Asset Management’s dividend payout ratio is currently 115.13%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of BAM. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd raised its stake in shares of Brookfield Asset Management by 1,270.6% in the 2nd quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 466 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 432 shares in the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT increased its stake in Brookfield Asset Management by 241.3% in the fourth quarter. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT now owns 488 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 345 shares during the period. Manchester Capital Management LLC raised its position in Brookfield Asset Management by 559.5% in the second quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 521 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 442 shares in the last quarter. LOM Asset Management Ltd bought a new position in Brookfield Asset Management during the fourth quarter worth about $31,000. Finally, Sagard Holdings Management Inc. bought a new position in Brookfield Asset Management during the second quarter worth about $39,000. 68.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have weighed in on BAM shares. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Brookfield Asset Management in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. UBS Group set a $58.00 price objective on shares of Brookfield Asset Management and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. Loop Capital set a $60.00 price objective on shares of Brookfield Asset Management in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. BMO Capital Markets raised shares of Brookfield Asset Management from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 5th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price target on shares of Brookfield Asset Management from $67.00 to $60.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $63.94.

Brookfield Asset Management Company Profile

Brookfield Asset Management is a global alternative asset manager headquartered in Toronto, Canada, that specializes in investments in real assets and related private equity and credit strategies. The firm acquires, manages and develops assets in sectors such as real estate, renewable power, infrastructure and private equity, seeking long-term value through active asset management and operational improvements. Brookfield structures and manages commingled funds, listed partnerships and separate accounts for institutional and retail investors.

The company’s products and services include fund management across equity and debt strategies, direct asset ownership and operations, property and facilities management, and capital markets solutions.