General Electric Targets a Consensus Price of $170 as Analysts Show Optimism

Analysts tracking General Electric (NYSE:GE) have collectively assigned a "Moderate Buy" rating to the company's stock. Out of the fourteen research firms covering GE, thirteen recommend buying the stock and one holds a neutral view. The forecasted average price for the next 12 months is $172.29, indicating a positive outlook for GE's stock value.

Analyst Insights on GE's Stock

Recent analysis from multiple research analysts reveals varied price targets for GE. Barclays, for instance, has trimmed their target from $181.00 to $175.00, though they maintain an "overweight" rating. On the other hand, Bank of America has raised their target from $165.00 to $180.00, endorsing a "buy" rating. Deutsche Bank has also made adjustments, dropping their price objective from $210.00 to $190.00 but still advocating for a "buy". TD Cowen's attitudes shifted positively, upgrading GE from "hold" to "buy" and hiking their target from $175.00 to $180.00. Furthermore, Vertical Research started covering GE, suggesting a "buy" with a target of $160.00.

GE's Recent Performance

As of the last report, GE's stock opened at $161.75. The company's market cap was $177.05 billion, with a price-to-earnings ratio of 53.03, PEG ratio of 2.90, and beta of 1.29. Additionally, GE noted a 52-week low of $77.93 and a high of $166.26. The disclosed earnings per share (EPS) in the latest quarter were $0.82, topping the $0.65 estimate by $0.17. GE's revenues also exceeded expectations, coming in at $16.10 billion versus the predicted $15.25 billion. The company's net margin stood at 5.05%, with a return on equity at 12.54%. Anticipations are that GE will post an EPS of 3.93 for the current fiscal year.

Dividends and Insider Activity

GE announced an increased quarterly dividend recently, with a payout of $0.28 per share compared to the prior $0.08. The dividend yield is at 0.69%, and the dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 36.72%. In terms of insider transactions, SVP Michael J. Holston has been active in selling shares, with multiple disclosures filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Institutional Investment Movements

Institutional investors have been adjusting their positions in GE's stock. Significant increases in shares held were noted from Prime Capital Investment Advisors LLC, Fifth Third Bancorp, O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC, Grandfield & Dodd LLC, among others. Overall, a large share of GE's stock, approximately 74.77%, is held by institutional investors and hedge funds.

General Electric Company Overview

General Electric, also known as GE Aerospace, is a leader in designing and manufacturing engine components for commercial and defense aircraft. The company delivers electrical power technologies, mechanical systems, and provides extensive aftermarket support. GE operates globally across various strategic locations.

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