CFC Planning Co LLC has recently acquired a significant stake in Verisk Analytics, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSK), investing approximately $580,000 to purchase 1,950 shares of the data analytics company. This move was disclosed in the firm’s latest filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission and marks a strategic entry into the business services sector.
Several other institutional investors have also made notable adjustments to their positions in Verisk Analytics during the first quarter of the year. For instance, Louisbourg Investments Inc. acquired a new stake valued at about $25,000, while SBI Securities Co. Ltd. entered with an investment of approximately $30,000 in the fourth quarter. Additionally, Rakuten Securities Inc. significantly increased its holdings by 6,050.0%, now owning 123 shares worth $34,000 after acquiring one hundred twenty-one shares recently.
According to the latest reports, institutional investors collectively hold 90.00% of Verisk Analytics’ stock, indicating a strong interest from large financial entities.
Financial Overview of Verisk Analytics
As of the latest trading session, Verisk Analytics shares opened at $302.90. The company boasts a market capitalization of approximately $42.37 billion and exhibits a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 44.35. With a quick ratio of 1.27 and a current ratio of 1.27, the company appears financially stable. Its debt-to-equity ratio stands at 26.13, reflecting a cautious approach to leveraging.
Verisk Analytics has seen fluctuations in its share price over the past year, with a 52-week low of $257.59 and a 52-week high of $322.92. The stock’s fifty-day moving average is $309.16, while the two-hundred day moving average sits at $295.17.
Investors were recently rewarded with a quarterly dividend of $0.45 per share, paid on June 30, 2023. Those on record as of June 13, 2023 received an annualized dividend amounting to $1.80, which translates into a yield of 0.59%. The company’s dividend payout ratio is currently 26.35%, suggesting a balanced approach to reinvestment and shareholder returns.
Analyst Ratings and Insider Transactions
Analysts have provided varying insights into Verisk Analytics, with recent reports indicating a mixed outlook. Robert W. Baird raised its target price from $320.00 to $335.00, assigning an “outperform” rating. Conversely, Bank of America initiated coverage with an “underperform” rating and set a target price of $280.00. Additionally, UBS Group increased its target price from $295.00 to $320.00, maintaining a “neutral” rating. Currently, the consensus rating for Verisk Analytics is “Hold,” with an average target price of $302.40.
In terms of insider activity, Elizabeth Mann, the Chief Financial Officer, sold 300 shares at an average price of $295.38, totaling $88,614.00. This sale reduced her ownership to 16,665 shares, valued at approximately $4,922,507.70. Furthermore, insider Kathy Card Beckles sold 326 shares on July 3, 2023, for $98,080.36. Following this transaction, Beckles holds 9,319 shares worth about $2,803,714.34.
In total, insiders have offloaded 28,825 shares valued at $8,945,180 within the last three months. Following these transactions, insider ownership now stands at 0.46% of the company’s stock.
Verisk Analytics, Inc. specializes in providing data analytics and technology solutions primarily for the insurance sector, both in the United States and internationally. Its offerings include a range of underwriting solutions, catastrophe modeling, and risk assessment tools, catering to insurers, financial institutions, and government entities.
For those interested in the latest developments regarding Verisk Analytics, further information can be accessed through platforms like MarketBeat.com, which provides daily summaries and updates on analyst ratings and transactions.
