Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) has caught the attention of institutional investors, with Versor Investments LP significantly increasing its stake in the automaker. According to the latest filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Versor Investments LP raised its holdings in Ford by an astonishing 846.6% in Q4, now owning 111,700 shares after adding 99,900 shares. As of the most recent filing, the investment was valued at $1.1 million.
Institutional Investors Strengthen Their Positions in Ford
A wave of institutional investors has been adjusting their holdings in Ford Motor, reinforcing confidence in the company’s long-term prospects. Notably:
- abrdn plc increased its stake by 18.3% in Q3, now owning 3.12 million shares valued at $32.79 million.
- Fidelis Capital Partners LLC grew its position by 13.2% in Q3, now holding 12,622 shares worth $140,000.
- Avitas Wealth Management LLC expanded its Ford holdings by 1.4%, acquiring a total of 119,290 shares worth $1.26 million.
- Tandem Capital Management Corp ADV boosted its investment by 18.2%, reaching 24,695 shares worth $261,000.
- Voisard Asset Management Group Inc. made a significant move, increasing its Ford stake by 155.2% to 5,609 shares, valued at $59,000.
As of now, institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own approximately 58.74% of Ford’s outstanding shares, a strong indication of confidence from the financial community.
Ford Motor Stock Performance and Key Financials
On Monday, Ford’s stock declined by 1.7%, falling by $0.16 to $9.39. The stock’s trading volume soared to 153.6 million shares, almost double its average daily volume of 79 million shares. Over the past 12 months, Ford’s stock price has fluctuated between $9.10 (52-week low) and $14.85 (52-week high).
Key financial metrics:
- Market Cap: $37.22 billion
- Price-to-Earnings (P/E) Ratio: 6.43
- Price-to-Earnings-Growth (PEG) Ratio: 0.61
- Beta: 1.63
- Quick Ratio: 1.02
- Current Ratio: 1.16
- Debt-to-Equity Ratio: 2.31
Ford Motor’s Latest Earnings Report
Ford released its latest earnings report on February 5th, posting earnings per share (EPS) of $0.39, surpassing analysts’ expectations of $0.35 by $0.04. The company achieved a net margin of 3.18% and a return on equity (ROE) of 16.88%. Analysts estimate that Ford will report EPS of 1.47 for the current fiscal year.
Ford’s Dividend Remains Attractive for Income Investors
Ford Motor continues to offer an attractive dividend yield of 6.39%. The company recently announced a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share, payable on March 3rd to shareholders of record as of February 18th. Ford’s dividend payout ratio stands at 41.10%, indicating a stable distribution policy.
Wall Street Analysts Provide Mixed Ratings on Ford Motor
Financial analysts remain divided on Ford’s outlook. While some see potential upside, others express concerns over the company’s long-term growth prospects. Recent analyst ratings include:
- Bank of America lowered its price target from $19.00 to $15.50 but maintained a “Buy” rating.
- BNP Paribas upgraded Ford from “Underperform” to “Hold.”
- JPMorgan Chase & Co. revised its target price from $14.00 to $13.00, keeping an “Overweight” rating.
- Barclays downgraded Ford to “Equal Weight,” reducing its price target from $13.00 to $11.00.
- Sanford C. Bernstein cut Ford’s rating from “Outperform” to “Market Perform,” with a revised price target of $11.00.
Currently, three analysts rate Ford as a “Sell,” ten maintain a “Hold,” and four recommend a “Buy.” According to MarketBeat data, the consensus price target for Ford stands at $11.89.
Ford’s Future Outlook: A Balanced Perspective
Ford Motor Company remains a key player in the global automotive industry, with operations spanning traditional combustion engines, electric vehicles (EVs), and commercial fleets. The company is organized into segments such as Ford Blue (traditional vehicles), Ford Model e (EVs), Ford Pro (commercial fleets), and Ford Credit (financing arm).
Despite current market volatility, Ford continues to attract institutional investors and remains a solid dividend-paying stock for income-focused investors. With analysts split on the company’s near-term growth, shareholders should closely monitor upcoming earnings reports and strategic initiatives as Ford navigates the evolving automotive landscape.
