Gamco Investors INC. ET AL has reduced its stake in Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW) by 11.5% during the first quarter of 2023, according to a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor now holds 227,245 shares of the electronics manufacturer after selling 29,465 shares during the quarter. This reduction brings the value of Gamco’s holdings in Corning to approximately $10.4 million.
Several other institutional investors have also made adjustments to their positions in Corning. Northern Trust Corp increased its stake by 2.0% in the fourth quarter, now owning 10,870,375 shares valued at $516.6 million after acquiring an additional 208,826 shares. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its holdings by 1.3% in the first quarter, bringing its total to 6,347,977 shares worth $290.6 million. Invesco Ltd. saw a more significant increase of 4.8% during the same period, resulting in ownership of 6,337,063 shares, valued at $290.1 million.
Deutsche Bank AG notably increased its holdings by 37.1% in the first quarter, now controlling 3,835,799 shares valued at $175.6 million. Overall, institutional investors hold approximately 69.8% of Corning’s stock.
Market Performance and Dividends
On August 7, 2023, shares of Corning opened at $67.50, reflecting a 1.1% increase. The company’s 50-day moving average stands at $57.82, while its 200-day moving average is $50.78. Corning has a market capitalization of $57.83 billion and a price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of 71.81. The firm also announced a quarterly dividend of $0.28 per share, payable on September 29, 2023. This translates to an annualized dividend of $1.12, resulting in a dividend yield of 1.7%. Notably, Corning’s payout ratio currently stands at 119.15%.
Analyst Ratings and Insider Transactions
Recent reports from research analysts present a mixed outlook for Corning. Susquehanna reaffirmed a “positive” rating, increasing the price target to $75.00, up from $60.00. Citigroup has also raised its target from $52.00 to $60.00, assigning a “buy” rating. Other analysts, including UBS Group and Oppenheimer, have similarly boosted their price objectives, indicating confidence in the company’s prospects.
In terms of insider activity, CEO Wendell P. Weeks sold 82,103 shares on August 7, 2023, at an average price of $65.19, amounting to approximately $5.35 million. Following this transaction, Weeks retains 809,295 shares valued at about $52.76 million. Moreover, Chief Operating Officer Avery H. Nelson III sold 36,240 shares on July 30, 2023, valued at approximately $2.26 million. In total, insiders sold 187,561 shares over the last 90 days, valued at around $11.62 million.
Corning Incorporated operates across various sectors, including display technologies, optical communications, and environmental technologies, both in the United States and internationally. The company is well-regarded for its innovative glass substrates used in flat panel displays and other applications.
As investors and analysts continue to monitor these developments, the performance of Corning in the coming quarters will be crucial for stakeholders.
