UBS Group has officially initiated coverage of KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), providing a buy rating alongside a target price of $176.00. This announcement was made in a report published on Thursday, signaling a positive outlook for the investment firm’s shares.
Other financial analysts have also recently assessed KKR’s stock. On October 13, Citigroup lowered its price target for KKR from $170.00 to $150.00 while maintaining a “buy” rating. Weiss Ratings upgraded KKR from a “sell (d+)” to a “hold (c-)” rating on October 25. Furthermore, TD Cowen reduced its target from $153.00 to $146.00 but kept a “buy” rating, and Barclays increased its target from $151.00 to $154.00 with an “overweight” rating.
Analyst Ratings Overview
Overall, KKR has received varied ratings from analysts, including one “Strong Buy,” eleven “Buy,” and five “Hold” ratings. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently holds a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” along with a consensus price target of $157.71.
As of Thursday, KKR’s shares opened at $142.72, reflecting a rise of 0.8%. The firm exhibits a market capitalization of $127.21 billion, with a P/E ratio of 60.47 and a P/E/G ratio of 1.52. KKR’s stock has fluctuated between a 52-week low of $86.15 and a high of $170.40. The company’s 50-day moving average price stands at $122.37, while the 200-day moving average is $131.62.
Recent Earnings and Dividend Announcement
On November 7, KKR reported earnings that surpassed analyst expectations. The firm posted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.41 for the quarter, exceeding the consensus estimate of $1.30 by $0.11. KKR’s revenue for the quarter was $4.36 billion, significantly above analysts’ predictions of $2.14 billion. The company also reported a net margin of 13.84% and a return on equity of 6.12%. Year-on-year, KKR’s EPS increased from $1.38.
In addition to its earnings announcement, KKR declared a quarterly dividend of $0.185, which was paid on December 2. Shareholders of record on November 17 were eligible for this dividend, yielding an annualized total of $0.74 and a dividend yield of 0.5%. The dividend payout ratio stands at 31.36%.
Institutional Investor Activity
Recent activity among institutional investors shows increased interest in KKR. Several firms have either added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Notably, ESL Trust Services LLC and Asset Dedication LLC each acquired new positions valued at approximately $26,000. Similarly, GGM Financials LLC and Saudi Central Bank established new positions worth around $27,000 and $28,000, respectively. Overall, institutional investors now control 76.26% of KKR’s stock.
Founded as an investment firm, KKR & Co. Inc. specializes in alternative asset management, offering a diverse range of services including private equity, credit, and capital markets solutions. The firm operates through its Asset Management and Insurance Business segments, positioning itself as a key player in the investment landscape.
As analysts continue to evaluate KKR’s performance and market position, the firm’s recent ratings and financial results suggest a promising trajectory for investors.
