Candriam S.C.A. Grows Position in McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC)

Candriam S.C.A. boosted its holdings in McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC) by 200.5% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 167,554 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 111,789 shares during the quarter. Candriam S.C.A.’s holdings in McCormick & Company, Incorporated were worth $12,774,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of MKC. State Street Corp raised its position in McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 7.8% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 15,315,905 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,260,499,000 after acquiring an additional 1,114,706 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. increased its position in shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 58.2% in the third quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 1,544,531 shares of the company’s stock valued at $127,115,000 after buying an additional 568,276 shares in the last quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. increased its position in shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 2,778.8% in the third quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 456,920 shares of the company’s stock valued at $37,606,000 after buying an additional 441,048 shares in the last quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. increased its position in shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 321.2% in the fourth quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 449,870 shares of the company’s stock valued at $34,298,000 after buying an additional 343,070 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank increased its position in shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 187.9% in the third quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 296,419 shares of the company’s stock valued at $24,395,000 after buying an additional 193,453 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.74% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MKC has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. TD Cowen upgraded McCormick & Company, Incorporated from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their price target for the company from $86.00 to $90.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on McCormick & Company, Incorporated from $66.00 to $69.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Barclays dropped their price target on McCormick & Company, Incorporated from $85.00 to $82.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 27th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upgraded McCormick & Company, Incorporated from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $85.00 to $91.00 in a research report on Monday, December 9th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, McCormick & Company, Incorporated has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $83.75.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other McCormick & Company, Incorporated news, Director Margaret M. V. Preston sold 28,092 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $77.03, for a total value of $2,163,926.76. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 6,177 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $475,814.31. This trade represents a 81.97 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 23.80% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

McCormick & Company, Incorporated Trading Up 1.0 %

McCormick & Company, Incorporated stock opened at $82.66 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $77.07 and a 200 day moving average price of $78.76. The company has a current ratio of 0.74, a quick ratio of 0.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. McCormick & Company, Incorporated has a 52 week low of $66.88 and a 52 week high of $85.78. The stock has a market cap of $22.17 billion, a PE ratio of 28.21, a P/E/G ratio of 3.76 and a beta of 0.71.

McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 23rd. The company reported $0.80 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.77 by $0.03. McCormick & Company, Incorporated had a return on equity of 14.89% and a net margin of 11.73%. Equities research analysts predict that McCormick & Company, Incorporated will post 3.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

McCormick & Company, Incorporated Profile

McCormick & Co, Inc engages in the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of spices, seasoning mixes, condiments, and other flavorful products to retail outlets, food manufacturers, and foodservice businesses. It operates through the Consumer and Flavor Solutions segments. The Consumer segment sells spices, seasonings, condiments, and sauces.