Amundi Raises Holdings in Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACLS)

Amundi grew its position in shares of Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACLS) by 15.1% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 489,251 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock after purchasing an additional 64,256 shares during the period. Amundi owned approximately 1.50% of Axcelis Technologies worth $35,764,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Avior Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Axcelis Technologies by 1,153.8% during the fourth quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 489 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 450 shares in the last quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC grew its position in shares of Axcelis Technologies by 1,415.2% during the fourth quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC now owns 500 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 467 shares in the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. grew its position in Axcelis Technologies by 85.5% in the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 627 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $44,000 after acquiring an additional 289 shares in the last quarter. Truvestments Capital LLC purchased a new position in Axcelis Technologies in the third quarter worth about $69,000. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its position in Axcelis Technologies by 184.3% in the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 668 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $47,000 after acquiring an additional 433 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.98% of the company’s stock.

Axcelis Technologies Stock Up 3.2 %

Shares of NASDAQ ACLS opened at $59.42 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a current ratio of 5.41 and a quick ratio of 4.05. The company has a market cap of $1.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.66, a PEG ratio of 4.52 and a beta of 1.62. Axcelis Technologies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $53.67 and a 1 year high of $158.61. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $65.49 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $80.35.

Axcelis Technologies (NASDAQ:ACLS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 10th. The semiconductor company reported $1.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.25 by $0.29. Axcelis Technologies had a net margin of 19.75% and a return on equity of 21.02%. Research analysts anticipate that Axcelis Technologies, Inc. will post 2.55 earnings per share for the current year.

Axcelis Technologies announced that its board has authorized a stock buyback plan on Wednesday, March 12th that authorizes the company to buyback $100.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the semiconductor company to buy up to 5.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are typically a sign that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently commented on the company. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of Axcelis Technologies in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. William Blair lowered Axcelis Technologies from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Craig Hallum dropped their price target on Axcelis Technologies from $115.00 to $105.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 15th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $154.00.

About Axcelis Technologies

Axcelis Technologies, Inc designs, manufactures, and services ion implantation and other processing equipment used in the fabrication of semiconductor chips in the United States, Europe, and Asia Pacific. The company offers high energy, high current, and medium current implanters for various application requirements.