Bel Fuse (NASDAQ:BELFB) Sees Unusually-High Trading Volume – Time to Buy?

Bel Fuse Inc. (NASDAQ:BELFB) shares saw unusually-high trading volume on Thursday . Approximately 226,184 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 22% from the previous session’s volume of 185,548 shares.The stock last traded at $265.1250 and had previously closed at $266.92.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Oppenheimer reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $315.00 target price on shares of Bel Fuse in a report on Friday, May 1st. Needham & Company LLC lifted their target price on Bel Fuse from $250.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Northland Securities set a $321.00 target price on Bel Fuse in a research report on Monday, May 4th. Robert W. Baird set a $293.00 target price on Bel Fuse in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Bel Fuse from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, March 16th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $307.25.

Bel Fuse Stock Performance

The stock has a 50 day moving average of $232.73 and a 200 day moving average of $200.94. The company has a quick ratio of 1.73, a current ratio of 3.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The company has a market capitalization of $3.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 60.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.97 and a beta of 1.75.

Bel Fuse Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 1st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 15th were issued a dividend of $0.07 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, April 15th. This represents a $0.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.1%. Bel Fuse’s payout ratio is presently 6.38%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Peter E. Gilbert sold 4,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $238.75, for a total value of $1,074,375.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 15,047 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,592,471.25. This represents a 23.02% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Farouq Salem Ali Tuweiq sold 33,967 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $234.00, for a total transaction of $7,948,278.00. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 5.37% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Bel Fuse by 365.6% in the fourth quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 149 shares of the electronics maker’s stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 117 shares during the period. State of Wyoming acquired a new position in shares of Bel Fuse in the first quarter worth about $30,000. KBC Group NV acquired a new position in shares of Bel Fuse in the first quarter worth about $38,000. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Bel Fuse in the fourth quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, Signature Equity Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Bel Fuse during the 1st quarter worth about $39,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 58.39% of the company’s stock.

Bel Fuse Company Profile

Bel Fuse Inc is a global manufacturer of electronic components that bridge power, data and video applications. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of products, including board-level circuit protection devices such as fuses, positive temperature coefficient (PTC) resistors and inductors; power transformers, modules and supplies; as well as connectivity solutions encompassing USB, HDMI, RJ45, coaxial and fiber-optic connectors. These products serve a wide array of end markets, including telecommunications, data communications, consumer electronics, industrial automation, automotive and renewable energy.

Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Oradell, New Jersey, Bel Fuse has grown through organic expansion and strategic acquisitions.