Johnson Controls International Target of Unusually High Options Trading (NYSE:JCI)

Johnson Controls International plc (NYSE:JCI) saw some unusual options trading activity on Wednesday. Stock traders purchased 19,207 call options on the company. This represents an increase of 1,963% compared to the typical volume of 931 call options.

Insider Buying and Selling at Johnson Controls International

In related news, VP Nathan D. Manning sold 1,421 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.44, for a total transaction of $108,621.24. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 148,346 shares in the company, valued at $11,339,568.24. This represents a 0.95 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director George Oliver sold 15,669 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $77.49, for a total value of $1,214,190.81. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 1,003,893 shares in the company, valued at $77,791,668.57. This trade represents a 1.54 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 907,286 shares of company stock worth $77,938,071 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.54% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Compass Financial Services Inc acquired a new stake in Johnson Controls International in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Johnson Controls International during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Synergy Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Johnson Controls International in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Crowley Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in Johnson Controls International in the 4th quarter worth approximately $42,000. Finally, ST Germain D J Co. Inc. lifted its holdings in Johnson Controls International by 32.8% during the 4th quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 543 shares of the company’s stock worth $43,000 after buying an additional 134 shares in the last quarter. 90.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Johnson Controls International Price Performance

NYSE:JCI opened at $82.97 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. The firm has a market cap of $54.77 billion, a PE ratio of 31.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 1.32. Johnson Controls International has a 12 month low of $59.83 and a 12 month high of $91.14. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $82.92 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $80.78.

Johnson Controls International (NYSE:JCI) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $0.64 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.59 by $0.05. Johnson Controls International had a return on equity of 15.11% and a net margin of 6.83%. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Johnson Controls International will post 3.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Johnson Controls International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 24th will be paid a $0.37 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 24th. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.78%. Johnson Controls International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 56.49%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have issued reports on the stock. Melius Research restated a “hold” rating and issued a $95.00 price target on shares of Johnson Controls International in a research report on Tuesday, January 28th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Johnson Controls International from $92.00 to $98.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Citigroup reduced their price objective on Johnson Controls International from $85.00 to $84.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 13th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on Johnson Controls International from $86.00 to $93.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Barclays reduced their target price on Johnson Controls International from $88.00 to $85.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, March 10th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Johnson Controls International currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $91.27.

Johnson Controls International Company Profile

Johnson Controls International plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in engineering, manufacturing, commissioning, and retrofitting building products and systems in the United States, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. It operates in four segments: Building Solutions North America, Building Solutions EMEA/LA, Building Solutions Asia Pacific, and Global Products.