Voya Investment Management LLC significantly boosted its stake in Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI) by 116.5% in the third quarter, as revealed in the company’s latest 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor now holds 841,463 shares after adding 452,822 shares during the quarter. As of the end of the period, Voya’s holdings were valued at approximately $384.8 million, representing a 0.51% share of Motorola Solutions.
Other major investors have also adjusted their positions. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC, for instance, acquired a new stake valued at about $25,000 in the second quarter. The Saudi Central Bank similarly added Motorola Solutions to its portfolio with a $29,000 investment in the first quarter. Additionally, Whipplewood Advisors LLC increased its position by 289.5% in Q2, holding 74 shares valued at $31,000, while Rossby Financial LLC raised its stake by 148.6%, now owning 87 shares worth $37,000. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC also made a new acquisition valued at $39,000 during the second quarter.
Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 84.17% of the company’s stock.
Recent Market Performance
Motorola Solutions’ stock opened at $373.47 on Friday, hovering between a 12-month low of $359.36 and a high of $492.22. With a market capitalization of $62.2 billion, the company shows strong financial metrics, including a PE ratio of 29.97, a price-to-earnings-growth (PEG) ratio of 2.99, and a beta of 0.99. Despite a quick ratio of 0.86, Motorola’s debt-to-equity ratio stands at a relatively high 3.59, underscoring its leveraged position in the market. Its 50-day moving average is $397.46, while its 200-day moving average is $427.00.
Earnings and Dividend Updates
Motorola Solutions delivered strong quarterly results, reporting earnings per share (EPS) of $4.06, surpassing analysts' expectations of $3.85 by $0.21. The company posted revenue of $3.01 billion, exceeding the anticipated $2.99 billion, marking a 7.8% year-over-year growth. The firm’s net margin was 18.71%, with a return on equity of 118.48%. Analysts project a full-year EPS of 13.55.
In a significant move, Motorola Solutions declared a quarterly dividend of $1.21 per share, payable on January 15. This is a substantial increase from its previous quarterly payout of just $0.01. The ex-dividend date for the upcoming payment is December 15, reflecting a $4.84 annualized dividend with a yield of 1.3%. The company’s payout ratio currently stands at 38.84%.
Analysts' View and Future Projections
Several analysts have updated their views on Motorola Solutions. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "hold" rating on the stock. Meanwhile, Evercore ISI increased its price target from $500 to $525, maintaining an "outperform" rating. Barclays adjusted its target downward from $509 to $495, while Piper Sandler set a neutral stance with a $465 price objective. Northcoast Research upgraded its position, raising the stock from "neutral" to "buy" with a target price of $450.
With six analysts rating the stock as a "buy" and four issuing a "hold," Motorola Solutions maintains a "Moderate Buy" consensus, with an average price target of $495.
Company Profile
Motorola Solutions is a leader in public safety and enterprise security solutions, operating in the U.S., UK, Canada, and internationally. The company has two primary segments: Products and Systems Integration, and Software and Services. Motorola Solutions offers a wide range of products, including infrastructure, communication devices, accessories, and video security solutions, while also providing system integration for government, public safety, and commercial customers.