Ford Motor (NYSE:F) Sees Large Volume Increase – What’s Next?

Shares of Ford Motor (NYSE:F) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Thursday . Approximately 65,438,015 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 4% from the previous session’s volume of 62,758,659 shares.The stock last traded at $10.02 and had previously closed at $10.30.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on F shares. BNP Paribas raised Ford Motor to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, February 10th. TD Cowen initiated coverage on Ford Motor in a research report on Friday, March 7th. They set a “hold” rating and a $10.00 price target for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of Ford Motor from $13.00 to $11.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on shares of Ford Motor from $10.00 to $9.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Ford Motor from $9.00 to $8.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $11.37.

Ford Motor Stock Performance

The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $9.75 and its 200-day simple moving average is $10.28. The stock has a market cap of $38.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.61 and a beta of 1.59. The company has a current ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.31.

Ford Motor (NYSE:F) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The auto manufacturer reported $0.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.35 by $0.04. Ford Motor had a return on equity of 16.88% and a net margin of 3.18%. Analysts forecast that Ford Motor will post 1.47 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Ford Motor Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 3rd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th were issued a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 18th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.17%. Ford Motor’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 41.10%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Ford Motor

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Mascagni Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Ford Motor in the 4th quarter valued at $87,000. Chancellor Financial Group WB LP acquired a new stake in shares of Ford Motor during the fourth quarter valued at about $182,000. Tableaux LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Ford Motor during the fourth quarter valued at about $148,000. Northstar Financial Companies Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Ford Motor during the fourth quarter worth about $154,000. Finally, Wood Tarver Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ford Motor in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $31,000. 58.74% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Ford Motor Company Profile

Ford Motor Company develops, delivers, and services a range of Ford trucks, commercial cars and vans, sport utility vehicles, and Lincoln luxury vehicles worldwide. It operates through Ford Blue, Ford Model e, and Ford Pro; Ford Next; and Ford Credit segments. The company sells Ford and Lincoln vehicles, service parts, and accessories through distributors and dealers, as well as through dealerships to commercial fleet customers, daily rental car companies, and governments.