Clifford Swan Investment Counsel LLC Sells 7,207 Shares of Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL)

Clifford Swan Investment Counsel LLC Sells 7,207 Shares of Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL)

  • 16.03.2025 16:38
  • etfdailynews.com
  • Keywords: Alphabet, Investment, Stock Market

Clifford Swan Investment Counsel LLC reduced its stake in Alphabet Inc. by selling 7,207 shares, while other investors like Pettinga Financial Advisors and Princeton Global Asset Management increased their holdings. Analysts have mixed ratings on Alphabet's stock, with an average "Moderate Buy" and a target price of $210.62. Insiders sold $17.9 million in shares over three months, while the company continues to perform well with a 1.7% trading increase and a dividend yield of 0.48%.

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Estimated market influence

Clifford Swan Investment Counsel LLC

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

The company sold shares of Alphabet Inc., reducing its position by 1.7% in the fourth quarter.

Pettinga Financial Advisors LLC

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Increased holdings by 10.1% in the third quarter, acquiring 201 additional shares.

Princeton Global Asset Management LLC

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Increased holdings by 5.0%, purchasing an additional 2,953 shares in the third quarter.

Clear Creek Financial Management LLC

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Increased stake by 1.5% in the third quarter, acquiring 262 additional shares.

Conning Inc.

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Increased stake by 5.3%, purchasing an additional 3,560 shares in the third quarter.

Royal Harbor Partners LLC

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Increased stake by 1.6% in the third quarter, acquiring 303 additional shares.

Context

Analysis of Clifford Swan Investment Counsel LLC Sells 7,207 Shares of Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL)

Key Facts and Data Points

  • Clifford Swan Investment Counsel LLC:

    • Sold 7,207 shares of Alphabet Inc., reducing its position by 1.7%.
    • Owned 425,005 shares after the sale, worth $80,453,000.
    • Alphabet makes up 2.9% of its portfolio, ranking as the 6th largest holding.

  • Other Institutional Investors:

    • Pettinga Financial Advisors LLC: Increased holdings by 10.1%, now owning 2,186 shares valued at $363,000.
    • Princeton Global Asset Management LLC: Increased holdings by 5.0%, now owning 62,452 shares worth $10,358,000.
    • Clear Creek Financial Management LLC: Increased stake by 1.5%, now owning 18,062 shares valued at $2,996,000.
    • Conning Inc.: Increased stake by 5.3%, now owning 70,991 shares worth $11,774,000.
    • Royal Harbor Partners LLC: Increased stake by 1.6%, now owning 18,881 shares valued at $3,131,000.

  • Analysts' Price Targets:

    • Average rating: "Moderate Buy".
    • Consensus target price: $210.62.
    • Range of price targets: $215 to $232.

  • Insider Activity:

    • CAO: Sold 1,340 shares at an average price of $202.08, reducing ownership by 6.98%.
    • Director: Sold 29,066 shares at an average price of $184.89, reducing ownership by 9.64%.
    • Total insider sales: 95,882 shares worth $17,934,130 in the last three months.

  • Alphabet Stock Performance:

    • Opened at $165.49 on Friday.
    • 52-week price range: $140.03 to $207.05.
    • 50-day moving average: $185.70, 200-day moving average: $176.46.

  • Financial Metrics:

    • Earnings per share (EPS): $2.15 for the latest quarter, beating estimates of $2.12.
    • Net margin: 28.60%, Return on Equity (ROE): 32.49%.
    • Dividend announcement: Quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share, annualized to $0.80, with a yield of 0.48%.

  • Market Implications:

    • Mixed signals from institutional investors: Some reducing positions while others increase holdings.
    • Positive analyst sentiment with an average "Moderate Buy" rating and upward price targets.
    • Insider selling may raise concerns about management confidence, though it could also reflect routine transactions.
    • Strong financial performance and dividend yield suggest continued investor interest despite market volatility.

  • Competitive Dynamics:

    • Alphabet's dominance in search, cloud services, and advertising positions it as a key player in the tech sector.
    • Competitive pressures from other tech giants like Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft could impact its market share.

  • Long-Term Effects:

    • Alphabet's diversified portfolio across Google Services, Google Cloud, and Other Bets provides resilience against sector-specific downturns.
    • Regulatory scrutiny and antitrust issues remain potential long-term risks.

  • Regulatory Impact:

    • Ongoing investigations into tech giants could influence Alphabet's business strategy and profitability.
    • Compliance costs and potential fines may impact the company's financial health.

Conclusion

The sale by Clifford Swan Investment Counsel LLC, coupled with mixed institutional activity and insider selling, raises questions about investor sentiment toward Alphabet. However, positive analyst ratings and strong financial performance suggest continued confidence in the stock. The company's market dominance and diversified business model provide a solid foundation for long-term growth, though regulatory risks and competitive pressures remain key challenges.