Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG) experienced a decline of 1.2% during trading on Monday, closing at $142.70. The stock traded as low as $142.42 and saw a significant volume of approximately 11,538,253 shares, an increase of 39% from its average daily volume of 8,307,185 shares. The previous closing price was $144.46.
Analysts have recently provided mixed assessments of Procter & Gamble, with several firms adjusting their ratings. Dbs Bank upgraded the stock to a “hold” rating on December 5, while Barclays reduced its price target from $153.00 to $151.00 and assigned an “equal weight” rating on December 8. Additionally, Deutsche Bank lowered its price target from $176.00 to $171.00 but maintained a “buy” rating.
A total of thirteen analysts currently rate Procter & Gamble as a Buy, while ten others have issued Hold ratings. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock holds an average rating of “Moderate Buy” with an average price target of $171.38.
Recent Financial Performance
Procter & Gamble reported its latest quarterly earnings on October 24, 2023. The company posted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.99, exceeding analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.90 by $0.09. Its revenue for the quarter reached $22.39 billion, surpassing expectations of $22.23 billion. This represents a 3.0% increase compared to the same quarter in the previous year, when the company reported an EPS of $1.93.
Looking ahead, Procter & Gamble has set its fiscal year 2026 guidance at an EPS range of $6.830 to $7.100. Analysts anticipate an EPS of $6.91 for the current fiscal year.
In addition to its financial performance, Procter & Gamble recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on November 17, 2023. Shareholders of record on October 24 received a dividend of $1.0568 per share, translating to an annualized dividend of $4.23 and a yield of 3.0%. The company’s current payout ratio stands at 61.75%.
Insider Trading and Institutional Investments
Recent insider transactions have also drawn attention. CFO Andre Schulten sold 4,252 shares at an average price of $152.23, totaling $647,281.96 on October 2. Following this sale, Schulten retained 53,992 shares, valued at approximately $8,219,202.16, reflecting a 7.30% decrease in his ownership. Similarly, COO Shailesh Jejurikar sold 3,986 shares for $606,788.78, reducing his stake by 7.83%.
Over the past ninety days, insiders have sold a total of 30,308 shares worth $4,611,852. Currently, insiders hold 0.20% of the company’s stock.
Institutional investors have also been active, adjusting their stakes in Procter & Gamble. Notably, Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC acquired a new stake valued at approximately $25,000 in the third quarter. Other investors, including Nova Wealth Management Inc. and Signature Resources Capital Management LLC, have made similar moves, increasing their holdings in the company. Overall, institutional investors now own 65.77% of Procter & Gamble’s stock.
Procter & Gamble, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been a leading player in the consumer goods industry since its founding in 1837. The company is renowned for its extensive range of household and personal care products, catering to consumers and retailers around the globe.
