Genuine Parts (NYSE:GPC) Shares Sold by Sapient Capital LLC

Sapient Capital LLC lowered its position in shares of Genuine Parts (NYSE:GPC) by 42.7% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 68,071 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock after selling 50,637 shares during the period. Sapient Capital LLC’s holdings in Genuine Parts were worth $8,016,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in Genuine Parts in the third quarter valued at $26,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in Genuine Parts in the 3rd quarter valued at about $31,000. Concord Wealth Partners lifted its position in Genuine Parts by 79.3% in the third quarter. Concord Wealth Partners now owns 269 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 119 shares during the last quarter. Synergy Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Genuine Parts during the fourth quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Genuine Parts during the third quarter valued at about $44,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.83% of the company’s stock.

Genuine Parts Stock Up 0.5 %

GPC stock opened at $118.35 on Tuesday. Genuine Parts has a fifty-two week low of $112.74 and a fifty-two week high of $164.45. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $118.52 and its 200 day moving average price is $128.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a current ratio of 1.17. The firm has a market capitalization of $16.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.23 and a beta of 0.94.

Genuine Parts Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 6th were given a dividend of $1.00 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 6th. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.38%. Genuine Parts’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 51.48%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Genuine Parts news, Director Wendy B. Needham sold 1,608 shares of Genuine Parts stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $120.78, for a total transaction of $194,214.24. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 11,357 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,371,698.46. The trade was a 12.40 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Insiders own 0.37% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on GPC shares. Redburn Atlantic raised shares of Genuine Parts to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, November 11th. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price objective on Genuine Parts from $162.00 to $138.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 23rd. Evercore ISI increased their target price on Genuine Parts from $155.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock an “in-line” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 22nd. Loop Capital initiated coverage on shares of Genuine Parts in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. They set a “buy” rating and a $155.00 price target on the stock. Finally, UBS Group lowered their price objective on shares of Genuine Parts from $145.00 to $125.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 23rd. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $141.50.

Genuine Parts Company Profile

Genuine Parts Company distributes automotive replacement parts, and industrial parts and materials. It operates in two segments: Automotive Parts Group and Industrial Parts Group segments. The company distributes automotive replacement parts for hybrid and electric vehicles, trucks, SUVs, buses, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, farm vehicles, small engines, farm equipment, marine equipment, and heavy duty equipment; and equipment and parts used by repair shops, service stations, fleet operators, automobile and truck dealers, leasing companies, bus and truck lines, mass merchandisers, farms, and individuals.