Kennedy Capital Management LLC Purchases 77,003 Shares of Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACLS)

Kennedy Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACLS) by 1,537.9% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 82,010 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock after acquiring an additional 77,003 shares during the period. Kennedy Capital Management LLC owned 0.25% of Axcelis Technologies worth $9,146,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of ACLS. Rakuten Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in Axcelis Technologies in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in Axcelis Technologies by 109.4% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 266 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 139 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its position in shares of Axcelis Technologies by 100.7% in the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 305 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 153 shares during the period. Private Trust Co. NA raised its stake in Axcelis Technologies by 627.9% during the 4th quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 313 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 270 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Global Retirement Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of Axcelis Technologies by 1,188.0% during the 4th quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 322 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 297 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 89.98% of the company’s stock.

Axcelis Technologies Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ ACLS traded down $5.63 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $117.36. 856,502 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 624,692. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.82 billion, a PE ratio of 15.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.78 and a beta of 1.60. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $131.70 and its 200 day moving average price is $120.30. Axcelis Technologies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $93.77 and a 12 month high of $201.00. The company has a quick ratio of 2.87, a current ratio of 4.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05.

Axcelis Technologies (NASDAQ:ACLS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 1st. The semiconductor company reported $1.57 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.26 by $0.31. The business had revenue of $252.37 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $242.55 million. Axcelis Technologies had a return on equity of 30.22% and a net margin of 22.16%. As a group, analysts predict that Axcelis Technologies, Inc. will post 6.76 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Axcelis Technologies

In related news, Director John T. Kurtzweil sold 1,200 shares of Axcelis Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $114.42, for a total transaction of $137,304.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 33,146 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,792,565.32. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 1.43% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. DA Davidson lifted their price target on shares of Axcelis Technologies from $150.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, July 15th. Bank of America boosted their target price on shares of Axcelis Technologies from $125.00 to $150.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. Benchmark upped their price objective on shares of Axcelis Technologies from $170.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, July 15th. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of Axcelis Technologies in a report on Friday, July 12th. Finally, B. Riley upped their price target on shares of Axcelis Technologies from $175.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, July 12th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $172.33.

About Axcelis Technologies

Axcelis Technologies, Inc designs, manufactures, and services ion implantation and other processing equipment used in the fabrication of semiconductor chips in the United States, Europe, and Asia Pacific. The company offers high energy, high current, and medium current implanters for various application requirements.