Stockbridge Partners LLC Makes New $359.95 Million Investment in Deere & Company $DE

Stockbridge Partners LLC bought a new position in Deere & Company (NYSE:DE) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 567,456 shares of the industrial products company’s stock, valued at approximately $359,954,000. Deere & Company makes up about 7.6% of Stockbridge Partners LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 5th largest position.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Mowery & Schoenfeld Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Deere & Company in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Kilter Group LLC purchased a new stake in Deere & Company during the 2nd quarter valued at $29,000. Timmons Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Deere & Company during the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. McIlrath & Eck LLC bought a new stake in shares of Deere & Company in the 4th quarter worth $30,000. Finally, Solstein Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Deere & Company in the 2nd quarter worth $30,000. Institutional investors own 68.58% of the company’s stock.

Deere & Company Stock Performance

DE stock opened at $648.46 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45, a current ratio of 2.10 and a quick ratio of 1.89. Deere & Company has a 1 year low of $433.00 and a 1 year high of $674.19. The company has a market cap of $175.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 0.90. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $608.35 and its 200-day moving average price is $591.88.

Deere & Company (NYSE:DE) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 20th. The industrial products company reported $5.10 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.69 by $0.41. Deere & Company had a return on equity of 18.10% and a net margin of 10.16%.The company had revenue of $12.61 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $10.81 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $4.75 earnings per share. Deere & Company’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that Deere & Company will post 18.23 earnings per share for the current year.

Deere & Company Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 10th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, June 30th were given a dividend of $1.62 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, June 30th. This represents a $6.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.0%. Deere & Company’s dividend payout ratio is presently 36.00%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on DE shares. Wall Street Zen downgraded Deere & Company from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Saturday. Barclays lifted their price objective on Deere & Company from $640.00 to $675.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday. Seaport Research Partners set a $570.00 target price on Deere & Company in a research report on Friday, August 14th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and set a $752.00 target price on shares of Deere & Company in a research note on Monday. Finally, UBS Group dropped their price target on shares of Deere & Company from $732.00 to $728.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $653.48.

Deere & Company News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Deere & Company this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Analysts raised their outlook. DA Davidson lifted its price target to $760 from $685 and maintained a “buy” rating, while RBC reaffirmed its “outperform” rating with a $752 target. Analysts cited Deere’s better-than-expected fiscal third quarter, improving equipment orders and prospects for an agriculture-sector recovery. DA Davidson analyst action Deere poised for recovery
• Positive Sentiment: Construction and Forestry is providing meaningful growth support. Higher volumes, pricing gains, demand for construction equipment and increased adoption of Deere’s technology are strengthening the segment and could help offset continued weakness or cyclicality in agriculture. Construction and Forestry growth outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Recent earnings exceeded expectations. Deere reported fiscal third-quarter EPS of $5.10 versus the $4.69 consensus, while revenue of $12.61 billion surpassed the $10.81 billion estimate and increased 6.2% year over year. The beat has reinforced the view that Deere is positioned for a recovery, although agriculture remained comparatively weaker. Deere earnings and farm cycle
• Neutral Sentiment: Valuation and the farm cycle remain investor considerations. Deere’s recent rally reflects stronger earnings and recovery expectations, but investors are weighing whether the stock has moved ahead of the underlying agricultural-equipment cycle.
• Negative Sentiment: UAW members rejected Deere’s proposed two-year contract extension. The vote sets up potentially contentious negotiations ahead of the 2027 contract expiration. UAW President Shawn Fain criticized the proposal as an attempt to bypass the normal bargaining process, raising the risk of higher labor costs, operational disruption or an eventual strike. UAW rejects Deere contract extension

About Deere & Company

Deere & Company, commonly known by its brand John Deere, is a global manufacturer of agricultural, construction and forestry machinery, as well as turf care equipment and power systems. Founded in 1837 by blacksmith John Deere—who developed a polished steel plow to improve tillage in tough prairie soils—the company is headquartered in Moline, Illinois, and has grown into one of the largest and most recognizable names in equipment manufacturing worldwide.

The company’s principal businesses include a broad portfolio of agricultural equipment such as tractors, combines, planters, sprayers, harvesters and tillage implements, complemented by precision agriculture technologies and telematics that support farm management, yield optimization and equipment connectivity.