Johnson Controls International (NYSE:JCI) Raised to “Strong-Buy” at Sanford C. Bernstein

Johnson Controls International (NYSE:JCI) was upgraded by equities research analysts at Sanford C. Bernstein to a “strong-buy” rating in a note issued to investors on Tuesday,Zacks.com reports.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued reports about the company. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on Johnson Controls International from $169.00 to $178.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, June 2nd. HSBC increased their price target on Johnson Controls International from $127.00 to $136.00 in a report on Thursday, May 7th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Johnson Controls International from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, May 7th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a “sector perform” rating and issued a $154.00 price target on shares of Johnson Controls International in a report on Tuesday, June 2nd. Finally, Citigroup increased their price target on Johnson Controls International from $150.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, May 7th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating, ten have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $152.85.

Johnson Controls International Trading Down 5.7%

Shares of JCI stock opened at $139.28 on Tuesday. Johnson Controls International has a 1 year low of $100.86 and a 1 year high of $149.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 0.85. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $139.94 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $130.41. The company has a market cap of $84.98 billion, a PE ratio of 24.92, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 1.32.

Johnson Controls International (NYSE:JCI) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 31st. The company reported $1.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Johnson Controls International had a return on equity of 19.50% and a net margin of 14.45%.The business had revenue of $6.14 billion for the quarter. Research analysts predict that Johnson Controls International will post 4.86 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, VP Todd M. Grabowski sold 1,800 shares of Johnson Controls International stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $146.20, for a total value of $263,160.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president directly owned 26,215 shares in the company, valued at $3,832,633. The trade was a 6.43% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, VP Lei Zhang Schlitz sold 88,809 shares of Johnson Controls International stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $140.99, for a total value of $12,521,180.91. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president owned 57,059 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $8,044,748.41. The trade was a 60.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 0.29% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Maseco LLP increased its holdings in shares of Johnson Controls International by 102.9% in the 4th quarter. Maseco LLP now owns 211 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 107 shares during the period. Mcguire Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Johnson Controls International in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Roxbury Financial LLC increased its holdings in shares of Johnson Controls International by 71.9% in the 4th quarter. Roxbury Financial LLC now owns 239 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. Twin Tree Management LP increased its holdings in shares of Johnson Controls International by 140.9% in the 4th quarter. Twin Tree Management LP now owns 260 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 895 shares during the period. Finally, YANKCOM Partnership purchased a new position in shares of Johnson Controls International in the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. 90.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Johnson Controls International Company Profile

Johnson Controls International plc is a global diversified technology and multi‑industrial company that develops products, services and solutions for buildings and energy storage. The company’s core focus is on improving building efficiency, safety and sustainability through a combination of HVAC equipment, building controls and automation, fire and security systems, and related services. Johnson Controls traces its roots to 1885, when inventor Warren S. Johnson developed an electric room thermostat; over its long history the company has expanded from controls into a broad set of building‑related technologies and, through corporate transactions, into a global provider of integrated building solutions.

Johnson Controls’ product and service portfolio includes heating, ventilation and air‑conditioning equipment, chillers, air handlers and related mechanical systems, together with building automation and control platforms that monitor and manage energy use, indoor environmental quality and security.