Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACLS) Shares Purchased by WINTON GROUP Ltd

WINTON GROUP Ltd increased its position in shares of Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACLS) by 63.4% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 14,848 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock after purchasing an additional 5,763 shares during the period. WINTON GROUP Ltd’s holdings in Axcelis Technologies were worth $1,037,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Advisors Asset Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Axcelis Technologies by 27.6% in the third quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,293 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $136,000 after buying an additional 280 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC raised its holdings in Axcelis Technologies by 51.4% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 263,332 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $27,610,000 after acquiring an additional 89,453 shares during the last quarter. Glenmede Trust Co. NA raised its holdings in Axcelis Technologies by 16.6% in the 3rd quarter. Glenmede Trust Co. NA now owns 5,538 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $581,000 after acquiring an additional 790 shares during the last quarter. Eventide Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Axcelis Technologies in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $553,000. Finally, Centiva Capital LP acquired a new position in shares of Axcelis Technologies during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $2,193,000. 89.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Axcelis Technologies Price Performance

NASDAQ:ACLS opened at $49.71 on Friday. Axcelis Technologies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $49.69 and a 52 week high of $158.61. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $61.80 and its two-hundred day moving average is $76.46. The company has a market capitalization of $1.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.08, a P/E/G ratio of 4.52 and a beta of 1.62. The company has a quick ratio of 4.05, a current ratio of 5.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04.

Axcelis Technologies (NASDAQ:ACLS) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 10th. The semiconductor company reported $1.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.25 by $0.29. Axcelis Technologies had a return on equity of 21.02% and a net margin of 19.75%. Equities analysts expect that Axcelis Technologies, Inc. will post 2.55 EPS for the current year.

Axcelis Technologies declared that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, March 12th that authorizes the company to repurchase $100.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the semiconductor company to repurchase up to 5.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are often an indication that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ACLS has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of Axcelis Technologies in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Craig Hallum reduced their price target on Axcelis Technologies from $115.00 to $105.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 15th. Finally, William Blair lowered shares of Axcelis Technologies from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $154.00.

About Axcelis Technologies

Axcelis Technologies, Inc designs, manufactures, and services ion implantation and other processing equipment used in the fabrication of semiconductor chips in the United States, Europe, and Asia Pacific. The company offers high energy, high current, and medium current implanters for various application requirements.