KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS Makes New Investment in Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:BHE)

KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS acquired a new position in Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:BHE) in the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm acquired 15,400 shares of the technology company’s stock, valued at approximately $701,000.

Several other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust purchased a new position in Benchmark Electronics in the 4th quarter worth $50,000. KBC Group NV increased its holdings in shares of Benchmark Electronics by 40.2% in 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 during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its stake in shares of Benchmark Electronics by 12.9% in the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,547 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $116,000 after acquiring an additional 292 shares during the last quarter. Glenmede Trust Co. NA bought a new stake in shares of Benchmark Electronics in the 3rd quarter valued at about $238,000. Finally, Summit Global Investments purchased a new stake in Benchmark Electronics during the 4th quarter valued at about $242,000. 92.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have commented on the company. Needham & Company LLC lifted their price target on Benchmark Electronics from $48.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 30th. StockNews.com raised shares of Benchmark Electronics from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 7th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Benchmark Electronics has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $43.00.

Benchmark Electronics Trading Down 0.3 %

BHE opened at $37.91 on Wednesday. Benchmark Electronics, Inc. has a one year low of $28.64 and a one year high of $52.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a current ratio of 2.32 and a quick ratio of 1.46. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $41.03 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $44.37. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.91 and a beta of 0.97.

Benchmark Electronics (NYSE:BHE) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The technology company reported $0.55 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.56 by ($0.01). Benchmark Electronics had a net margin of 2.38% and a return on equity of 6.68%.

Benchmark Electronics Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 11th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.17 per share. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.79%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 31st. Benchmark Electronics’s payout ratio is 39.31%.

Insider Activity at Benchmark Electronics

In other Benchmark Electronics news, CEO Jeff Benck sold 6,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, January 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $45.31, for a total value of $271,860.00. Following the completion of the transaction, 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 ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 2.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About Benchmark Electronics

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.