Nordson (NASDAQ:NDSN) Reaches New 12-Month Low – Time to Sell?

Nordson Co. (NASDAQ:NDSN)’s stock price reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $203.10 and last traded at $203.56, with a volume of 13719 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $205.43.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have weighed in on NDSN. DA Davidson decreased their target price on Nordson from $295.00 to $285.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, December 13th. Seaport Res Ptn raised shares of Nordson from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 17th. Baird R W cut shares of Nordson from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, December 13th. Finally, Robert W. Baird reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $237.00 price target (down previously from $294.00) on shares of Nordson in a report on Friday, December 13th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Nordson has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $279.00.

Nordson Stock Performance

The company has a market cap of $11.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.08, a P/E/G ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.95. The business has a fifty day moving average of $239.75 and a 200 day moving average of $243.68. The company has a quick ratio of 1.52, a current ratio of 2.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72.

Nordson (NASDAQ:NDSN) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, December 11th. The industrial products company reported $2.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.59 by $0.19. The company had revenue of $744.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $736.83 million. Nordson had a net margin of 17.37% and a return on equity of 19.87%. Nordson’s quarterly revenue was up 3.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.46 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that Nordson Co. will post 10.34 EPS for the current year.

Nordson Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 16th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be paid a $0.78 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 2nd. This represents a $3.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.53%. Nordson’s payout ratio is 38.47%.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Stephen Lovass sold 317 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $260.75, for a total value of $82,657.75. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 6,666 shares in the company, valued at $1,738,159.50. The trade was a 4.54 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Jennifer L. Mcdonough sold 225 shares of Nordson stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $262.27, for a total transaction of $59,010.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 3,287 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $862,081.49. This trade represents a 6.41 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 629 shares of company stock worth $164,460. Corporate insiders own 0.86% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Nordson

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Nordson during the second quarter valued at $27,000. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its stake in Nordson by 130.0% during the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 161 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 91 shares during the period. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt purchased a new stake in shares of Nordson during the 3rd quarter valued at about $53,000. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC bought a new stake in shares of Nordson in the second quarter worth approximately $60,000. Finally, Covestor Ltd lifted its position in Nordson by 18.8% during the third quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 272 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $72,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares during the period. 72.11% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Nordson Company Profile

Nordson Corporation engineers, manufactures, and markets products and systems to dispense, apply, and control adhesives, coatings, polymers, sealants, biomaterials, and other fluids worldwide. It operates through three segments: Industrial Precision Solutions; Medical and Fluid Solutions; and Advanced Technology Solutions.