Douglass Winthrop Advisors LLC has established a new investment in Motorola Solutions, Inc., purchasing 1,513 shares valued at approximately $692,000. This acquisition occurred during the third quarter of 2024, according to Holdings Channel. Several other institutional investors have also recently adjusted their stakes in the communications equipment provider, indicating a growing interest in Motorola Solutions.
In addition to Douglass Winthrop, Orion Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Motorola Solutions worth around $25,000. Another institutional player, United Community Bank, increased its holdings by 81.3%, now owning 58 shares valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 26 shares. Other noteworthy investments include Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC and Field & Main Bank, which obtained stakes valued at $33,000 and $35,000, respectively. Furthermore, Salomon & Ludwin LLC invested approximately $38,000 in the company. Currently, institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.17% of Motorola Solutions’ stock.
Insider Trading Activity
In related news, insider trading activity has been notable at Motorola Solutions. On February 26, 2024, Kenneth D. Denman, a board director, sold 434 shares of the company at an average price of $470.12, totaling approximately $204,032.08. Following this transaction, Denman retains 7,153 shares, valued at around $3,362,768.36, reflecting a 5.72% decrease in his ownership.
Similarly, Cynthia Yazdi, the Chief Executive Officer, sold 7,000 shares on the same day, generating around $3,297,070.00 at an average price of $471.01. After this sale, Yazdi holds 9,529 shares, valued at about $4,488,254.29, representing a significant 42.35% reduction in her stake. Over the past three months, insiders have sold a total of 129,069 shares worth approximately $60,779,964, while insiders currently own 1.44% of the company’s stock.
Quarterly Earnings and Dividends
Motorola Solutions recently reported its quarterly earnings, showcasing a strong performance. For the fourth quarter, the company achieved earnings per share (EPS) of $4.59, surpassing the consensus estimate of $4.35 by $0.24. Revenue for the quarter reached $3.38 billion, exceeding the expected $3.34 billion. The company’s net margin stands at 18.44%, with a return on equity of 110.75%. This marks a 12.3% increase in quarterly revenue compared to the same period last year, where the EPS was $4.04. Analysts forecast an EPS of 13.55 for the current fiscal year.
Additionally, the company has declared a quarterly dividend of $1.21, to be paid on April 15, 2024. Shareholders of record on March 20, 2024, will receive this dividend, representing an annualized dividend yield of 1.0% and a payout ratio of 37.93%.
Analyst Ratings and Future Projections
Motorola Solutions has attracted attention from various analysts, resulting in a range of ratings. Morgan Stanley has maintained an “overweight” rating with a price target of $470.00. Northcoast Research upgraded the stock from “neutral” to “buy,” setting a target price of $450.00. Similarly, Argus has rated Motorola Solutions as a “strong buy,” while Piper Sandler increased its price target from $443.00 to $499.00.
Finally, Barclays raised its price objective from $495.00 to $506.00, maintaining an “overweight” rating. Overall, one analyst has assigned a “strong buy” rating, while nine have rated it as a “buy,” and one has given a “hold” rating. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Motorola Solutions currently holds a consensus rating of “buy” with an average target price of $497.14.
Motorola Solutions, Inc. is recognized for providing mission-critical communications and analytics solutions, serving both public safety and commercial sectors. The company designs and manufactures a variety of communications equipment aimed at ensuring reliable operations for first responders and government agencies in high-pressure environments.
