4D Advisors LLC Invests $3.32 Million in Methode Electronics, Inc. $MEI

4D Advisors LLC bought a new position in Methode Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:MEI) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund bought 500,000 shares of the electronics maker’s stock, valued at approximately $3,320,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of MEI. UBS Group AG boosted its holdings in shares of Methode Electronics by 887.1% in the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 476,974 shares of the electronics maker’s stock worth $3,601,000 after purchasing an additional 428,654 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Methode Electronics by 31.6% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,380,436 shares of the electronics maker’s stock worth $9,166,000 after purchasing an additional 331,618 shares during the period. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its holdings in shares of Methode Electronics by 54.6% in the 3rd quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 832,344 shares of the electronics maker’s stock worth $6,284,000 after purchasing an additional 293,843 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Methode Electronics by 29.7% in the 2nd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 1,209,756 shares of the electronics maker’s stock worth $11,505,000 after purchasing an additional 276,923 shares during the period. Finally, Two Sigma Investments LP boosted its holdings in shares of Methode Electronics by 92.9% in the 3rd quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 454,432 shares of the electronics maker’s stock worth $3,431,000 after purchasing an additional 218,841 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.49% of the company’s stock.

Methode Electronics Price Performance

Shares of MEI stock opened at $11.54 on Thursday. Methode Electronics, Inc. has a 52-week low of $4.88 and a 52-week high of $15.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a quick ratio of 1.55 and a current ratio of 2.41. The firm has a market capitalization of $408.76 million, a P/E ratio of -6.34 and a beta of 1.59. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $9.75 and a 200 day moving average price of $8.10.

Methode Electronics Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 17th will be given a dividend of $0.05 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 17th. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.7%. Methode Electronics’s payout ratio is -10.99%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Weiss Ratings reissued a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Methode Electronics in a research note on Tuesday, April 21st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of $8.50.

Methode Electronics Company Profile

Methode Electronics, Inc is a Chicago-based global manufacturer of custom-engineered electronic and electromechanical components and assemblies. Founded in 1946, Methode specializes in providing solutions that integrate electrical connectors, sensors, switches, human-machine interface devices and power distribution modules. The company’s product portfolio addresses complex application requirements across a broad range of end markets, including automotive, industrial, energy, healthcare and data/telecommunications.

In its automotive segment, Methode develops advanced connector systems, circuit protection devices and thermal management solutions for internal combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles.