Gentex (NASDAQ:GNTX) Reaches New 1-Year Low – Time to Sell?

Gentex Co. (NASDAQ:GNTX)’s stock price reached a new 52-week low during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $23.75 and last traded at $23.79, with a volume of 26464 shares. The stock had previously closed at $24.19.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

GNTX has been the topic of a number of research reports. Guggenheim lowered their price target on shares of Gentex from $35.00 to $34.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 21st. Robert W. Baird set a $31.00 target price on shares of Gentex in a report on Monday, February 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of Gentex from $34.00 to $32.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. B. Riley reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $32.50 target price (down from $37.00) on shares of Gentex in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, UBS Group cut their price target on shares of Gentex from $30.00 to $29.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $32.31.

Gentex Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $5.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.49, a P/E/G ratio of 0.84 and a beta of 0.91. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $26.60 and its 200-day moving average is $28.86.

Gentex (NASDAQ:GNTX) last issued its earnings results on Friday, January 31st. The auto parts company reported $0.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.49 by ($0.10). Gentex had a return on equity of 16.74% and a net margin of 17.49%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.50 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Gentex Co. will post 2.04 EPS for the current year.

Gentex Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 23rd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 9th will be given a $0.12 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 9th. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.02%. Gentex’s payout ratio is presently 27.27%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in GNTX. Midwest Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in Gentex in the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. TD Private Client Wealth LLC raised its position in Gentex by 138.8% in the fourth quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 1,139 shares of the auto parts company’s stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 662 shares during the period. Synergy Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Gentex in the fourth quarter worth approximately $34,000. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. raised its position in shares of Gentex by 32.5% during the 4th quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. now owns 2,419 shares of the auto parts company’s stock valued at $70,000 after purchasing an additional 593 shares during the period. Finally, LRI Investments LLC raised its position in shares of Gentex by 33.2% during the 4th quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 2,750 shares of the auto parts company’s stock valued at $79,000 after purchasing an additional 686 shares during the period. 86.76% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Gentex

Gentex Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and supplies digital vision, connected car, dimmable glass, and fire protection products in the United States, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Republic of Korea, and internationally. It operates through Automotive Products and Other segments. The company offers automotive products, including interior and exterior electrochromic automatic-dimming rearview mirrors, automotive electronics, and non-automatic-dimming rearview mirrors for automotive passenger cars, light trucks, pick-up trucks, sport utility vehicles, and vans for original equipment manufacturers, automotive suppliers, and various aftermarket and accessory customers.