Candriam S.C.A. cut its position in Chemed Co. (NYSE:CHE - Free Report) by 8.3% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 14,683 shares of the company's stock after selling 1,328 shares during the quarter. Candriam S.C.A. owned about 0.10% of Chemed worth $7,779,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in CHE. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in Chemed in the 4th quarter valued at about $42,023,000. FMR LLC increased its stake in shares of Chemed by 23.8% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 238,616 shares of the company's stock worth $143,401,000 after purchasing an additional 45,917 shares in the last quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Chemed by 114.1% during the 4th quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 74,658 shares of the company's stock valued at $39,554,000 after buying an additional 39,791 shares in the last quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans boosted its holdings in Chemed by 25.3% in the 3rd quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 146,017 shares of the company's stock worth $87,752,000 after buying an additional 29,445 shares during the period. Finally, Aureus Asset Management LLC grew its stake in Chemed by 3,147.2% in the 3rd quarter. Aureus Asset Management LLC now owns 29,939 shares of the company's stock valued at $17,993,000 after buying an additional 29,017 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.85% of the company's stock.
In other news, CEO Kevin J. Mcnamara sold 2,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $593.67, for a total transaction of $1,187,340.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 102,679 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $60,957,441.93. This represents a 1.91 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, VP Brian C. Judkins bought 145 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 30th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $519.50 per share, for a total transaction of $75,327.50. Following the completion of the purchase, the vice president now directly owns 1,678 shares of the company's stock, valued at $871,721. The trade was a 9.46 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Company insiders own 3.32% of the company's stock.
Shares of CHE traded up $1.51 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $595.86. The company had a trading volume of 124,996 shares, compared to its average volume of 99,602. Chemed Co. has a 52-week low of $512.12 and a 52-week high of $654.62. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $553.87 and its 200 day moving average price is $564.10. The firm has a market cap of $8.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.11, a P/E/G ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 0.43.
The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 14th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 24th will be paid a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.34%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 24th. Chemed's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 10.05%.
Chemed Corporation provides hospice and palliative care services to patients through a network of physicians, registered nurses, home health aides, social workers, clergy, and volunteers primarily in the United States. The company operates in VITAS and Roto-Rooter segments. It offers plumbing, drain cleaning, excavation, water restoration, and other related services to residential and commercial customers through company-owned branches, independent contractors, and franchisees.
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