Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Shares of Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) have been given a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the twenty-two brokerages that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and fifteen have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $336.29.

Several research analysts have commented on ADSK shares. HSBC lowered shares of Autodesk from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and set a $290.00 price objective for the company. in a report on Friday, November 29th. Hsbc Global Res lowered shares of Autodesk from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, November 29th. KeyCorp upped their target price on Autodesk from $330.00 to $335.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, February 28th. Macquarie restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $360.00 target price on shares of Autodesk in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Finally, Citigroup reduced their price target on Autodesk from $361.00 to $339.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 27th.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director John T. Cahill bought 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, March 21st. The shares were acquired at an average price of $267.10 per share, for a total transaction of $534,200.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 2,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $534,200. The trade was a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CAO Stephen W. Hope sold 2,452 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $267.29, for a total transaction of $655,395.08. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 3,003 shares in the company, valued at approximately $802,671.87. The trade was a 44.95 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.14% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Autodesk

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of ADSK. Principal Financial Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Autodesk by 12.6% in the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 2,192,345 shares of the software company’s stock valued at $603,947,000 after acquiring an additional 245,816 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its stake in shares of Autodesk by 26.0% in the 3rd quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 4,743 shares of the software company’s stock worth $1,307,000 after purchasing an additional 979 shares during the period. Quest Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Autodesk in the third quarter worth approximately $760,000. Caprock Group LLC grew its position in Autodesk by 10.2% during the third quarter. Caprock Group LLC now owns 4,266 shares of the software company’s stock valued at $1,175,000 after buying an additional 394 shares during the period. Finally, Commerce Bank increased its holdings in Autodesk by 0.4% during the third quarter. Commerce Bank now owns 16,537 shares of the software company’s stock valued at $4,556,000 after buying an additional 66 shares during the last quarter. 90.24% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Autodesk Price Performance

ADSK opened at $261.63 on Friday. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $284.01 and its 200-day moving average price is $288.13. Autodesk has a 52-week low of $195.32 and a 52-week high of $326.62. The stock has a market capitalization of $55.73 billion, a PE ratio of 51.91, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 1.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a current ratio of 0.65.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc provides 3D design, engineering, and entertainment technology solutions worldwide. The company offers AutoCAD Civil 3D, a surveying, design, analysis, and documentation solution for civil engineering, including land development, transportation, and environmental projects; BuildingConnected, a SaaS preconstruction solution; AutoCAD, a software for professional design, drafting, detailing, and visualization; AutoCAD LT, a drafting and detailing software; computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software for computer numeric control machining, inspection, and modelling for manufacturing; Fusion 360, a 3D CAD, CAM, and computer-aided engineering tool; and Industry Collections tools for professionals in architecture, engineering and construction, product design and manufacturing, and media and entertainment collection industries.