Methode Electronics (NYSE:MEI) Stock Price Passes Above Two Hundred Day Moving Average – Should You Sell?

Shares of Methode Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:MEI) passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $7.51 and traded as high as $8.51. Methode Electronics shares last traded at $8.34, with a volume of 278,029 shares trading hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MEI has been the subject of several recent research reports. Robert W. Baird set a $8.50 price target on Methode Electronics in a research report on Wednesday, January 14th. Zacks Research raised shares of Methode Electronics to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Methode Electronics in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Reduce” and a consensus target price of $8.50.

Methode Electronics Trading Up 1.0%

The company has a market capitalization of $295.32 million, a PE ratio of -4.69 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $7.91 and a 200 day simple moving average of $7.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a quick ratio of 1.68 and a current ratio of 2.55.

Methode Electronics (NYSE:MEI) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, December 3rd. The electronics maker reported ($0.19) EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.20) by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $246.90 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $237.69 million. Methode Electronics had a negative return on equity of 7.10% and a negative net margin of 6.39%. Analysts anticipate that Methode Electronics, Inc. will post -0.4 earnings per share for the current year.

Methode Electronics Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 30th. Investors of record on Friday, January 16th were given a dividend of $0.05 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 16th. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.4%. Methode Electronics’s payout ratio is presently -11.24%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV grew its position in shares of Methode Electronics by 21.0% in the fourth quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 21,781 shares of the electronics maker’s stock valued at $145,000 after purchasing an additional 3,778 shares in the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp grew its holdings in Methode Electronics by 1,841.5% in the 4th quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 265,157 shares of the electronics maker’s stock valued at $1,768,000 after buying an additional 251,500 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC increased its stake in shares of Methode Electronics by 6.5% in the 4th quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 418,122 shares of the electronics maker’s stock worth $2,776,000 after acquiring an additional 25,684 shares during the last quarter. Tudor Investment Corp ET AL raised its holdings in shares of Methode Electronics by 30.6% during the 4th quarter. Tudor Investment Corp ET AL now owns 212,625 shares of the electronics maker’s stock worth $1,412,000 after acquiring an additional 49,859 shares during the period. Finally, Numerai GP LLC boosted its position in shares of Methode Electronics by 283.7% during the 4th quarter. Numerai GP LLC now owns 105,157 shares of the electronics maker’s stock valued at $698,000 after acquiring an additional 77,754 shares during the last quarter. 95.49% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Methode Electronics

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.