2,780 Shares in Whirlpool Co. (NYSE:WHR) Purchased by Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund

Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund purchased a new position in Whirlpool Co. (NYSE:WHR) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 2,780 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $318,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Brown Lisle Cummings Inc. bought a new stake in Whirlpool in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake in Whirlpool by 323.1% in the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 275 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 210 shares during the period. Bogart Wealth LLC raised its stake in Whirlpool by 113.6% in the 4th quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 282 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 150 shares during the period. Legend Financial Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Whirlpool in the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. Finally, HHM Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in Whirlpool by 216.0% in the 4th quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 316 shares of the company’s stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 216 shares during the period. 90.78% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Whirlpool Trading Up 0.8 %

Shares of WHR opened at $106.02 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $115.76 and its 200-day moving average price is $108.32. The stock has a market cap of $5.85 billion, a PE ratio of -18.09 and a beta of 1.43. Whirlpool Co. has a twelve month low of $84.18 and a twelve month high of $135.49.

Whirlpool (NYSE:WHR) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The company reported $4.57 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.26 by $0.31. Whirlpool had a negative net margin of 1.95% and a positive return on equity of 21.89%. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $3.85 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Whirlpool Co. will post 9.52 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Whirlpool Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Saturday, March 15th. Investors of record on Friday, February 28th will be given a $1.75 dividend. This represents a $7.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.60%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. Whirlpool’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -119.45%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on WHR shares. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on Whirlpool from $125.00 to $138.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 14th. Bank of America boosted their price objective on Whirlpool from $101.00 to $103.00 and gave the company an “underperform” rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on Whirlpool from $76.00 to $74.00 and set an “underperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 25th. StockNews.com upgraded Whirlpool from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 21st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Whirlpool from $103.00 to $109.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 29th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $112.80.

Whirlpool Profile

Whirlpool Corporation manufactures and markets home appliances and related products and services in the North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Asia. The company's principal products include refrigerators, freezers, ice makers, and refrigerator water filters; laundry appliances, and commercial laundry products and related laundry accessories; cooking and other small domestic appliances; and dishwasher appliances and related accessories, as well as mixers.