Empowered Funds LLC Raises Holdings in Danaher Corporation $DHR

Empowered Funds LLC boosted its position in Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR) by 73.3% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 49,650 shares of the conglomerate’s stock after acquiring an additional 21,000 shares during the quarter. Empowered Funds LLC’s holdings in Danaher were worth $9,414,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Main Street Group LTD purchased a new position in shares of Danaher in the 1st quarter worth about $25,000. JPL Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Danaher during the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. Elevated Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Danaher during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new stake in Danaher during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Finally, Hilton Head Capital Partners LLC purchased a new position in Danaher in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.05% of the company’s stock.

Danaher Stock Performance

Danaher stock opened at $196.29 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $137.99 billion, a PE ratio of 34.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.45 and a beta of 0.79. Danaher Corporation has a one year low of $160.93 and a one year high of $242.80. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $187.90 and its 200 day moving average price is $195.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a current ratio of 1.65.

Danaher (NYSE:DHR) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 21st. The conglomerate reported $1.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.85 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.12 billion. Danaher had a net margin of 15.95% and a return on equity of 11.04%. Danaher’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.77 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Danaher Corporation will post 8.53 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Danaher Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 26th will be paid a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 26th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.8%. Danaher’s dividend payout ratio is 28.42%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Danaher from $250.00 to $230.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 14th. Rothschild & Co Redburn set a $205.00 target price on shares of Danaher in a research note on Friday, April 17th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their target price on shares of Danaher from $200.00 to $215.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Danaher from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, April 25th. Finally, Argus lowered their price target on Danaher from $265.00 to $230.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nineteen have issued a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Danaher currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $228.91.

About Danaher

Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR) is a global science and technology company that designs, manufactures and markets products and services for the life sciences, diagnostics, and environmental and applied markets. The company organizes its operations into business segments focused on Life Sciences, Diagnostics, and Environmental & Applied Solutions, supplying instruments, reagents, software and related services that support research, clinical testing, biopharmaceutical development, and industrial and environmental monitoring.

Products and services in Danaher’s portfolio include analytical and diagnostic instruments, laboratory consumables and reagents, digital and software solutions for workflow and data management, field and industrial monitoring equipment, and service and maintenance programs.