Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC has reduced its stake in Roper Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ROP) by 5.3% during the second quarter, according to HoldingsChannel.com. The firm now holds 2,050 shares of the industrial products company, valued at approximately $1.16 million following the sale of 114 shares during this period.
Institutional investors continue to play a significant role in Roper Technologies’ stock. Corbyn Investment Management Inc. MD acquired a new position in the company worth around $567,000 in the same quarter. Additionally, Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings by 1.7%, bringing its total to 10,896,899 shares valued at $6.18 billion. Other notable investors include BNP Paribas Financial Markets, which raised its stake by 20% in the first quarter, now owning 383,373 shares worth $226 million, and the Swiss National Bank, which increased its position by 7.5% during the second quarter.
Recent Insider Transactions
In recent developments, Roper Technologies’ Director, Amy Woods Brinkley, purchased 1,200 shares on November 12, 2023, at an average price of $450.71 per share, totaling $540,852. This transaction increased her holdings to 18,184 shares, valued at approximately $8.2 million.
On the other hand, CEO Laurence Neil Hunn sold 30,000 shares on November 11, 2023, at an average price of $443.57, amounting to $13.31 million. Following this sale, Hunn now owns 87,311 shares valued at around $38.73 million, marking a 25.57% reduction in his ownership.
Financial Performance and Dividend Announcement
Roper Technologies reported its latest earnings on October 23, 2023, revealing earnings per share of $5.14 for the quarter, surpassing analysts’ expectations of $5.11. The company achieved a net margin of 20.34% and a return on equity of 10.92%. Revenue reached $2.02 billion, consistent with consensus estimates and reflecting a 14.3% increase from the same period last year.
The company has also announced a quarterly dividend of $0.91, scheduled for payment on January 16, 2024, to investors of record on January 2, 2024. This represents an increase from the previous dividend of $0.83, translating to an annualized dividend of $3.64 and a yield of 0.8%.
Roper Technologies has also provided guidance for the fourth quarter of 2025, projecting earnings per share between $5.110 and $5.160, with a full-year earnings forecast of $19.900 to $19.950.
Analyst Ratings and Market Outlook
Recent research reports have provided mixed reviews on Roper Technologies. Robert W. Baird set a price target of $592.00, while Barclays reduced its target from $550.00 to $506.00, issuing an “underweight” rating. Oppenheimer maintained an “outperform” rating with a target of $570.00, while Raymond James Financial lowered its estimate from $670.00 to $575.00, maintaining a “strong-buy” rating.
Currently, one analyst rates Roper Technologies as a “Strong Buy,” nine as “Buy,” three as “Hold,” and two as “Sell.” The consensus rating stands at “Moderate Buy,” with a target price of $579.54 according to MarketBeat.
As Roper Technologies continues to evolve within the industrial sector, its performance and strategic decisions by key investors and insiders will likely remain a focal point for market observers.
