LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:LPLA) Receives Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts

Shares of LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:LPLA) have been assigned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the thirteen ratings firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $322.75.

Several research analysts have weighed in on LPLA shares. Citigroup increased their price target on shares of LPL Financial from $285.00 to $310.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, October 31st. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their target price on LPL Financial from $325.00 to $390.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on LPL Financial from $310.00 to $390.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Barclays increased their price objective on LPL Financial from $311.00 to $378.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, December 9th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on shares of LPL Financial from $309.00 to $282.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 4th.

LPL Financial Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ LPLA opened at $327.93 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 2.16, a quick ratio of 2.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.60. The company has a market capitalization of $24.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.66, a P/E/G ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 0.86. LPL Financial has a 12 month low of $187.19 and a 12 month high of $334.83. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $302.23 and a 200-day moving average of $260.36.

LPL Financial (NASDAQ:LPLA) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 30th. The financial services provider reported $4.16 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.69 by $0.47. The firm had revenue of $3.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.04 billion. LPL Financial had a net margin of 8.73% and a return on equity of 49.47%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $3.74 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that LPL Financial will post 16.1 EPS for the current year.

LPL Financial Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 2nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 14th were issued a dividend of $0.30 per share. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.37%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 14th. LPL Financial’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 9.02%.

Insider Activity at LPL Financial

In other news, Director Aneri Jambusaria sold 305 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $331.94, for a total value of $101,241.70. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 3,920 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,301,204.80. This trade represents a 7.22 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 1.30% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On LPL Financial

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its position in LPL Financial by 15.7% in the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 25,418 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $5,913,000 after purchasing an additional 3,444 shares during the last quarter. Tidal Investments LLC raised its holdings in LPL Financial by 98.9% in the 3rd quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 7,662 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,782,000 after buying an additional 3,809 shares during the last quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new stake in LPL Financial during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $182,000. Sanctuary Advisors LLC increased its position in LPL Financial by 25.6% in the 3rd quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 16,399 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $3,815,000 after acquiring an additional 3,339 shares during the period. Finally, Anchor Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of LPL Financial by 15.6% during the third quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC now owns 9,669 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $2,249,000 after acquiring an additional 1,304 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 95.66% of the company’s stock.

LPL Financial Company Profile

LPL Financial Holdings Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides an integrated platform of brokerage and investment advisory services to independent financial advisors and financial advisors at enterprises in the United States. Its brokerage offerings include variable and fixed annuities, mutual funds, equities, fixed income, alternative investments, retirement and 529 education savings plans, and insurance.