Smith & Nephew plc (NYSE:SNN) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Smith & Nephew plc (NYSE:SNN) has been given an average rating of “Moderate Buy” by the six analysts that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have given a buy recommendation to the company.

SNN has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. StockNews.com raised Smith & Nephew from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, August 5th. UBS Group upgraded shares of Smith & Nephew from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 5th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on shares of Smith & Nephew in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. They issued a “buy” rating for the company.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Smith & Nephew

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in SNN. Nomura Holdings Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Smith & Nephew during the 4th quarter worth approximately $887,000. Clark Estates Inc. NY grew its holdings in Smith & Nephew by 18.2% during the 4th quarter. Clark Estates Inc. NY now owns 650,000 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock valued at $17,732,000 after buying an additional 100,000 shares during the last quarter. Lorne Steinberg Wealth Management Inc. increased its position in Smith & Nephew by 53.6% during the second quarter. Lorne Steinberg Wealth Management Inc. now owns 231,045 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock worth $5,725,000 after buying an additional 80,650 shares in the last quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC purchased a new position in Smith & Nephew during the first quarter worth $2,612,000. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN raised its holdings in shares of Smith & Nephew by 20.9% in the fourth quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 1,003,050 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock worth $27,363,000 after acquiring an additional 173,448 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 25.64% of the company’s stock.

Smith & Nephew Stock Down 0.4 %

NYSE SNN opened at $30.55 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 2.51 and a quick ratio of 1.11. Smith & Nephew has a 52-week low of $21.52 and a 52-week high of $31.72. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $30.20 and a 200 day moving average price of $27.13.

Smith & Nephew Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 8th. Investors of record on Friday, October 4th will be paid a $0.288 dividend. This represents a yield of 2.4%. This is a boost from Smith & Nephew’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.24. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 4th.

Smith & Nephew Company Profile

Smith & Nephew plc, together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells medical devices and services in the United Kingdom and internationally. It operates through three segments: Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine & ENT, and Advanced Wound Management. The company offers knee implant products for knee replacement procedures; hip implants for revision procedures; trauma and extremities products that include internal and external devices used in the stabilization of severe fractures and deformity correction procedures; and other reconstruction products.