Rockwell Automation,Inc. (NYSE: ROK) has received a consensus rating of "Hold" from 22 brokerages monitoring the stock,12 have issued hold recommendations, while 10 have rated the stock as a buy. average target price for ROK shares stands at $457.50 for the next twelve months.
Recent reports from various equity research firms have provided insights into stock's performance. On May 6, HSBC raised its price target for Rockwell Automation from $445.00 to $490.00. Conversely,Wall Street Zen downgraded its rating from "buy" to "hold" on May 2. Morgan Stanley maintained an "overweight" rating, setting a target price of $525.00,while Mizuho established a target of $445.00. Citigroup also increased its target from $466.00 to $500.00,affirming buy rating .
Investor sentiment around Rockwell Automation has been buoyed by several factors. The company was featured on CNBC's "Final Trades," where analyst Stephanie Link highlighted ROK,potentially enhancing institutional confidence. Additionally,ROK recently reached a new 52-week high, reinforcing its status as a momentum stock.
Rockwell Automation's Singapore facility was recognized as a World Economic Forum Global Lighthouse, further emphasizing the company's commitment to innovation and operational excellence. However, Zacks has slightly reduced earnings estimates for fiscal year 2026 and some quarters in 2027 and 2028. These adjustments are viewed as minor,with forecasts remaining close to or above consensus expectations.
In insider trading news, Vice President Terry L. Riesterer sold 4,024 shares on May 7 at an average price of $451.97,totaling approximately $1.82 million. This sale marked a significant reduction in his ownership,dropping to just 134 shares valued at about $60,564. Senior Vice President Matheus De A. G. Viera Bulho also sold 1,250 shares on April 8 for $484,375, resulting in a 41.89% decrease in his holdings.
Institutional investors continue to play a significant role in Rockwell Automation's stock . Recent modifications in holdings include Richards Merrill & Peterson Inc., which increased its stake by 1.9% during the first quarter,now owning 1,358 shares valued at $487,000 . Cidel Asset Management Inc. and Johnson Investment Counsel Inc . also raised their stakes,reflecting ongoing institutional interest. Overall, institutional investors hold 75.75% of Rockwell Automation's shares.
As of Monday,ROK shares opened at $476.19. The company’s 50-day moving average is $445.15, while the 200-day moving average is $412.19 . Rockwell Automation has a market capitalization of $52.99 billion, with a P/E ratio of 49.50 and a beta of 1.57. The stock has fluctuated between a low of $305.44 and a high of $486.47 over the past year.
In its latest earnings report, Rockwell Automation announced earnings per share of $3.30 for the quarter,surpassing analysts' expectations of $2.88. The company reported revenue of $2.24 billion, exceeding the anticipated $2.16 billion,and achieved an 11.9% year-over-year revenue increase. The firm has set its fiscal year 2026 earnings guidance between $12.500 and $13.100 per share,with analysts predicting an average of $13.02.
On June 9,Rockwell Automation's Board of Directors approved a $1 billion stock buyback plan,allowing the company to repurchase up to 2% of its shares. This move typically signals that the board believes the company’s shares are undervalued. Additionally, the firm announced a quarterly dividend of $1.38 per share, payable on September 10 to shareholders of record as of August 17,representing an annualized dividend yield of 1.2%.
