Empirical Finance LLC Makes New Investment in H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE:HRB)

Empirical Finance LLC purchased a new stake in shares of H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE:HRB) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 8,751 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $462,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. CWM LLC grew its holdings in H&R Block by 79.3% during the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 29,260 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,859,000 after acquiring an additional 12,941 shares during the period. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of H&R Block in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $231,000. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC raised its holdings in shares of H&R Block by 29,301.6% in the 3rd quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 36,752 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,336,000 after purchasing an additional 36,627 shares in the last quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. acquired a new stake in H&R Block during the third quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, Affinity Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in H&R Block during the third quarter valued at approximately $807,000. Institutional investors own 90.14% of the company’s stock.

H&R Block Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE HRB opened at $52.61 on Tuesday. H&R Block, Inc. has a one year low of $45.64 and a one year high of $68.45. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $54.61 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $58.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 16.46, a current ratio of 0.73 and a quick ratio of 0.77. The company has a market capitalization of $7.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.82 and a beta of 0.69.

H&R Block (NYSE:HRB) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The company reported ($1.73) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($1.59) by ($0.14). H&R Block had a net margin of 14.71% and a negative return on equity of 179.15%. Analysts anticipate that H&R Block, Inc. will post 5.27 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

H&R Block Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 3rd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 4th will be issued a dividend of $0.375 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 4th. This represents a $1.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.85%. H&R Block’s dividend payout ratio is currently 41.32%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently weighed in on HRB shares. StockNews.com raised H&R Block from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 5th. Barrington Research reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $70.00 target price on shares of H&R Block in a report on Wednesday, February 5th.

About H&R Block

H&R Block, Inc engages in the provision of tax return preparation solutions, financial products and small business solutions. The company was founded by Henry W. Bloch and Richard A. Bloch on January 25, 1955, and is headquartered in Kansas City, MO.