Ajita Rajendra, a director at Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE: DCI), sold **19,800 shares** of the company’s stock on **December 5, 2023**. The shares were sold at an average price of **$92.04**, bringing the total transaction value to **$1,822,392.00**. As a result of this sale, Rajendra now holds **43,993 shares**, valued at approximately **$4,049,115.72**, reflecting a **31.04%** decrease in his stake in the company.
The sale was officially reported in a filing with the **U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)**, providing transparency regarding insider trading activities.
Donaldson Stock Performance and Financial Overview
On the trading floor, shares of Donaldson experienced a decline, dropping **$0.46** to **$91.98** during trading on **December 8, 2023**. The stock recorded a trading volume of **358,701 shares**, significantly below its average volume of **604,575 shares**. Donaldson’s market capitalization is currently **$10.61 billion**, with a price-to-earnings ratio of **28.67** and a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of **2.29**. The company’s stock has fluctuated between a **12-month low** of **$57.45** and a **12-month high** of **$95.00**.
In its recent earnings report, released on **December 4, 2023**, Donaldson reported earnings of **$0.94 per share (EPS)** for the quarter, surpassing analysts’ expectations of **$0.93 EPS** by **$0.01**. The company achieved a net margin of **10.25%** and a return on equity of **30.24%**, with quarterly revenue reaching **$935.40 million**, exceeding the consensus estimate of **$922.68 million**. This represents a **3.9%** increase in revenue compared to the same quarter last year.
Looking ahead, Donaldson has set its fiscal year **2026** EPS guidance in the range of **$3.950 to $4.110**. Analysts are projecting an average EPS of **$3.64** for the current fiscal year.
Institutional Trading Activity
Recent adjustments in institutional holdings indicate fluctuating interest in Donaldson. Focus Partners Wealth increased its stake in the company by **314.0%** during the first quarter, now owning **57,028 shares** valued at **$3,824,000** after acquiring an additional **43,254 shares**. Similarly, Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC made a new investment in Donaldson for approximately **$4,849,000**.
Deutsche Bank AG also raised its stake by **112.6%**, now holding **27,570 shares** worth **$1,849,000**. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. and Voya Investment Management LLC also boosted their holdings significantly during this period. Overall, institutional investors own **82.81%** of Donaldson’s stock.
Analysts’ Ratings and Future Outlook
Several analysts have recently provided insights into Donaldson’s stock performance. On **November 24, 2023**, **Morgan Stanley** upgraded the stock from an “underweight” to an “equal weight” rating, adjusting the target price from **$72.00** to **$84.00**. Meanwhile, Wall Street Zen upgraded the stock from a “hold” to a “buy” rating.
**Robert W. Baird** and **Stifel Nicolaus** have set price objectives of **$100.00** and **$96.00**, respectively, while Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating. Currently, data from **MarketBeat** indicates that the stock holds an average rating of “Moderate Buy” with a target price of **$93.33**.
Donaldson Company, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and supplier of filtration systems and replacement parts globally, operating through three main segments: **Mobile Solutions, Industrial Solutions**, and **Life Sciences**. The company provides a wide array of filtration solutions for air and liquid applications, contributing to its strong market position.
As Donaldson continues to navigate a dynamic market landscape, stakeholders will be keenly observing both its performance and strategic decisions in the coming quarters.
