Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:BHE) Shares Acquired by Natixis Advisors LLC

Natixis Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:BHE) by 3.2% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 28,108 shares of the technology company’s stock after purchasing an additional 875 shares during the quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC’s holdings in Benchmark Electronics were worth $1,276,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust purchased a new stake in Benchmark Electronics in the 4th quarter worth approximately $50,000. KBC Group NV boosted its holdings in Benchmark Electronics by 40.2% during the fourth quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 2,151 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $98,000 after buying an additional 617 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in Benchmark Electronics by 12.9% during the fourth quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,547 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $116,000 after buying an additional 292 shares during the period. Glenmede Trust Co. NA purchased a new position in Benchmark Electronics in the third quarter valued at $238,000. Finally, Highland Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Benchmark Electronics by 6.4% in the fourth quarter. Highland Capital Management LLC now owns 5,620 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $255,000 after acquiring an additional 337 shares during the period. 92.29% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Benchmark Electronics Stock Down 1.7 %

Shares of NYSE BHE opened at $40.60 on Wednesday. Benchmark Electronics, Inc. has a 52-week low of $28.64 and a 52-week high of $52.57. The company has a quick ratio of 1.46, a current ratio of 2.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $41.95 and its 200-day simple moving average is $44.43. The firm has a market cap of $1.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.47 and a beta of 0.97.

Benchmark Electronics (NYSE:BHE) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The technology company reported $0.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.56 by ($0.01). Benchmark Electronics had a return on equity of 6.68% and a net margin of 2.38%.

Benchmark Electronics Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 11th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 31st will be issued a $0.17 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 31st. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.67%. Benchmark Electronics’s payout ratio is currently 39.31%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

BHE has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Needham & Company LLC raised their target price on Benchmark Electronics from $48.00 to $50.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. StockNews.com raised Benchmark Electronics from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $43.00.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Benchmark Electronics news, CEO Jeff Benck sold 6,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $45.31, for a total value of $271,860.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 418,173 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,947,418.63. This represents a 1.41 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 2.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Benchmark Electronics Profile

Benchmark Electronics, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, offers product design, engineering services, technology solutions, and manufacturing services in the Americas, Asia, and Europe. The company provides engineering services and technology solutions, including new product design, prototype, testing, and related engineering services; and custom testing and technology solutions, as well as automation equipment design and build services.