Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR) Given Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR) has been assigned a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-two research firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and nineteen have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $253.55.

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on DHR shares. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on Danaher from $255.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Leerink Partners increased their price target on Danaher from $260.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, January 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Danaher from $270.00 to $275.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, January 29th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “buy” rating on shares of Danaher in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. Finally, KeyCorp reiterated an “overweight” rating on shares of Danaher in a research report on Thursday, January 29th.

Danaher Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE DHR opened at $190.05 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $134.39 billion, a PE ratio of 37.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 1.51 and a current ratio of 1.87. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $213.35 and its 200 day moving average price is $214.97. Danaher has a 1 year low of $171.00 and a 1 year high of $242.80.

Danaher (NYSE:DHR) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 27th. The conglomerate reported $2.23 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.14 by $0.09. Danaher had a net margin of 14.71% and a return on equity of 10.81%. The company had revenue of $6.84 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.79 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.14 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Danaher will post 7.63 earnings per share for the current year.

Danaher Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 27th will be given a dividend of $0.40 per share. This is a boost from Danaher’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 27th. Danaher’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 25.40%.

Insider Transactions at Danaher

In other Danaher news, EVP Gregory M. Milosevich sold 1,320 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $208.01, for a total transaction of $274,573.20. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 5,099 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,060,642.99. This trade represents a 20.56% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 11.20% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Danaher

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Elevated Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Danaher during the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Hilton Head Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Danaher in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd lifted its stake in Danaher by 71.6% during the 4th quarter. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd now owns 127 shares of the conglomerate’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 53 shares in the last quarter. JPL Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Danaher during the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new position in Danaher during the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. 79.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Danaher Company Profile

Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR) is a global science and technology company that designs, manufactures and markets products and services for the life sciences, diagnostics, and environmental and applied markets. The company organizes its operations into business segments focused on Life Sciences, Diagnostics, and Environmental & Applied Solutions, supplying instruments, reagents, software and related services that support research, clinical testing, biopharmaceutical development, and industrial and environmental monitoring.

Products and services in Danaher’s portfolio include analytical and diagnostic instruments, laboratory consumables and reagents, digital and software solutions for workflow and data management, field and industrial monitoring equipment, and service and maintenance programs.