Cwm LLC has reported a reduction in its stake in Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (NYSE: CHD) by 9.3% during the second quarter of 2023. According to the firm’s recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, Cwm LLC now holds 13,054 shares after selling 1,345 shares in the period. The remaining shares are valued at approximately $1,255,000 based on the latest SEC disclosure.
Several other institutional investors have also adjusted their positions in Church & Dwight. For instance, Wayfinding Financial LLC acquired a new stake valued at around $40,000 in the first quarter. In addition, Opal Wealth Advisors LLC invested approximately $45,000 in the second quarter. Notably, Chilton Capital Management LLC significantly increased its holdings by 90.9% during the first quarter, now owning 420 shares worth about $46,000 after an additional purchase of 200 shares. Motco and North Capital Inc. also made new investments, valued at $46,000 and $47,000, respectively. Currently, institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.60% of the company’s stock.
Current Stock Performance and Financials
On Tuesday, shares of Church & Dwight opened at $88.02, reflecting a 0.5% decrease. The company has a market capitalization of $21.44 billion and a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 41.52. Its 50-day moving average stands at $90.85, while the 200-day moving average is $95.13. The stock has fluctuated between a low of $85.08 and a high of $116.46 over the past year.
Church & Dwight reported its quarterly earnings on August 1, 2023, showing earnings per share (EPS) of $0.94, surpassing analysts’ expectations of $0.85 by $0.09. The company generated $1.51 billion in revenue for the quarter, exceeding the analyst estimate of $1.48 billion. Despite this, revenue marked a 0.3% decrease compared to the previous year’s quarter, when the firm earned $0.93 per share. Church & Dwight has projected its fiscal year 2025 EPS guidance to range between 3.440 and 3.510, with third-quarter guidance set at 0.720.
Dividends and Insider Transactions
Recently, Church & Dwight declared a quarterly dividend of $0.295, which was paid on September 2, 2023. Shareholders on record as of August 15 received this dividend, resulting in an annualized dividend of $1.18 and a yield of 1.3%. The company maintains a dividend payout ratio of 55.66%.
In related news, insider transactions have also been notable. Executive Vice President Lee B. Mcchesney purchased 5,409 shares at an average price of $91.38, totaling approximately $494,274. Following this transaction, Mcchesney’s total ownership in the company rose significantly. Furthermore, Chief Executive Officer Richard A. Dierker acquired 5,470 shares at an average price of $91.57, amounting to about $500,888, increasing his stake by 25.16%. Over the past 90 days, insiders have purchased a total of 12,879 shares valued at $1,177,702, representing 1.20% of the company’s total shares held by insiders.
Market analysts have varied opinions on Church & Dwight’s stock performance. Recent reports indicate that Wells Fargo & Company adjusted its target price from $108.00 to $100.00, maintaining an “overweight” rating. Meanwhile, Bank of America lowered its target from $120.00 to $105.00, assigning a “buy” rating. Other firms, such as JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Redburn Partners, have issued differing recommendations, reflecting a diverse outlook among analysts. Currently, the stock is rated as a “Hold” by seven analysts, with an average price target of $100.88.
Church & Dwight Co., Inc. specializes in the development, manufacture, and marketing of household and personal care products. It operates through various segments, including Consumer Domestic, Consumer International, Specialty Products Division, and Corporate, offering a range of household items such as laundry detergents and personal care products. As the company continues to adapt to market dynamics, its recent financial performance and investor activity remain subjects of interest for stakeholders.
