Danaher Corporation $DHR Shares Purchased by Howard Capital Management LLC

Howard Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR) by 197.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 12,641 shares of the conglomerate’s stock after buying an additional 8,397 shares during the period. Howard Capital Management LLC’s holdings in Danaher were worth $2,801,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Gunderson Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Danaher during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $765,000. EP Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Danaher during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $3,807,000. Baugh & Associates LLC acquired a new position in Danaher in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $16,100,000. Puzo Michael J acquired a new position in Danaher in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $8,624,000. Finally, Madison Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Danaher in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $85,451,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.05% of the company’s stock.

Danaher Stock Performance

NYSE:DHR opened at $228.87 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a current ratio of 1.65. Danaher Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $160.93 and a fifty-two week high of $242.80. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $214.04 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $195.97. The company has a market capitalization of $160.89 billion, a PE ratio of 40.65, a P/E/G ratio of 2.88 and a beta of 0.76.

Danaher (NYSE:DHR) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, July 20th. The conglomerate reported $1.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.85 by $0.09. Danaher had a net margin of 15.95% and a return on equity of 11.04%. The firm had revenue of $6.26 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.12 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.77 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that Danaher Corporation will post 8.53 earnings per share for the current year.

Danaher Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, September 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, September 30th. Danaher’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 28.42%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on DHR shares. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Danaher from $220.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, October 12th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price objective on Danaher from $260.00 to $220.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. TD Cowen raised their target price on Danaher from $236.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $240.00 target price on shares of Danaher in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on Danaher from $212.00 to $195.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $235.41.

About Danaher

Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR) is a global science and technology company that develops products, services and solutions for the life sciences, biotechnology and diagnostics markets. Its offerings help researchers, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, healthcare providers and other organizations conduct scientific research, develop and manufacture medicines, and diagnose disease.

The company operates through businesses that provide bioprocessing equipment and technologies, laboratory instruments, consumables, analytical tools and clinical diagnostic systems.