Norris Perne & French LLP MI recently increased its stake in Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: MSI) by 30.3% during the third quarter, as revealed in the company’s latest 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The investment firm now holds 38,677 shares of the leading communications equipment provider, after acquiring an additional 8,998 shares. This brings the total value of their holdings to approximately $17.7 million.
A number of other institutional investors have also adjusted their positions in Motorola Solutions. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC, for example, initiated a new stake during the second quarter, valued at $25,000. Similarly, the Saudi Central Bank purchased a new position earlier in the year for about $29,000. Notably, Whipplewood Advisors LLC boosted its holdings by a staggering 289.5% in the second quarter, bringing its total to 74 shares worth $31,000, following an additional purchase of 55 shares. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC also joined the ranks in Q3, purchasing a stake valued at $33,000. Finally, Rossby Financial LLC increased its position by 148.6% in Q2, now holding 87 shares valued at $37,000.
These moves reflect the growing confidence in Motorola Solutions, with institutional investors now owning 84.17% of the company.
Stock Performance & Financials
Motorola Solutions’ stock opened at $376.98 on Monday, with a market capitalization of $62.79 billion. The company’s 50-day moving average stands at $388.59, while its 200-day moving average is at $425.44. The stock has been relatively steady, but it has experienced fluctuations, with a 12-month low of $359.36 and a 12-month high of $492.22.
The company’s most recent earnings report, announced on October 31st, revealed a solid performance. Motorola Solutions posted earnings of $4.06 per share for the quarter, surpassing analysts' expectations of $3.85 by $0.21. Revenue came in at $3.01 billion, exceeding the forecast of $2.99 billion, and marking a 7.8% year-over-year increase. Despite a slightly lower earnings per share compared to the same quarter last year ($3.74), the company’s net margin stood at an impressive 18.71%, and its return on equity (ROE) was a robust 118.48%.
Dividend Increase & Analyst Ratings
In a positive move for shareholders, Motorola Solutions also announced an increase in its quarterly dividend, which will be paid out on January 15th. Investors who hold shares as of December 15th will receive a dividend of $1.21 per share, up from the previous quarter’s dividend of $0.01. This marks a significant boost, translating to an annualized dividend of $4.84, with a dividend yield of 1.3%. The company’s dividend payout ratio is currently 38.84%.
Analysts have mixed opinions on the stock, with some offering upgrades. Northcoast Research recently raised its rating from "neutral" to "buy" and set a target price of $450.00. Meanwhile, Barclays lowered its price target from $509.00 to $495.00, while maintaining an “overweight” rating. Piper Sandler also reiterated a “neutral” rating with a target price of $465.00, down from $495.00. Currently, six analysts have given the stock a "buy" rating, while four others have a "hold" rating. The consensus target price stands at $495.00.
Motorola Solutions’ Core Business
Motorola Solutions is a leading provider of mission-critical communications solutions, specializing in offering secure and reliable communication tools for public safety and commercial sectors. The company designs, manufactures, and supports a wide range of products including land mobile radio (LMR) systems, handheld and vehicle-mounted radios for first responders, and broadband push-to-talk systems.
Its portfolio also includes advanced software for incident management, video security, and data analytics, all of which are designed to keep organizations operating effectively, even in high-pressure environments. For instance, Motorola Solutions’ systems are pivotal in enabling police, fire, and emergency medical services to coordinate efficiently and respond rapidly to crises.