Albert G. White III, the President and CEO of Cooper Companies, Inc. (NYSE:COO), an ophthalmic goods manufacturer, has sold a significant portion of his stock in the company. On September 19, White sold 108,997 shares at a weighted average price of $110.484 and an additional 5,995 shares at a weighted average price of $111.3622, with the sales totaling approximately $12.71 million.
The transactions were part of a series of stock sales that occurred at varying prices, with the larger block of shares sold in multiple transactions ranging from $109.94 to $110.935, and the smaller block ranging from $110.945 to $111.83. This information was disclosed in a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The CEO's stock sales come alongside his acquisition of 114,992 shares through the exercise of options at a price of $43.83 per share, adding up to a total transaction value of about $5.04 million. However, it is important to note that these acquired shares are not part of the total sales value.
Following these transactions, Albert G. White III's direct ownership in the company has been adjusted to 165,273 shares of common stock. The adjustments reflect a previous error that overstated the number of securities beneficially owned, as well as the company's 4-for-1 stock split effected on February 16, 2024.
Investors often keep a close eye on insider transactions like these, as they can provide insights into executives' perspectives on the company's current valuation and future prospects. The SEC filing ensures transparency, allowing shareholders and potential investors to stay informed about significant insider trades.
In other recent news, Cooper Companies has reported robust financial performance, exceeding expectations with a $5 million revenue beat and a $0.05 earnings per share beat. The strong results were driven by high sales across various product segments, with Toric & Multifocal and Sphere revenue lines surpassing forecasts. A significant top-line beat in the Office & Surgical segment made up for the Fertility division's shortfall relative to Street estimates.
Cooper Companies' gross margin reached 66.6%, higher than the Street's expectation of 66.0%, and the adjusted operating margin stood at 25.5%, surpassing the anticipated 24.1%. These figures underscore the benefits of the company's product and geographic mix, as well as effective management of selling, general, and administrative expenses. The company has provided an adjusted earnings per share guidance of $0.98 to $1.01 for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2024, exceeding the Street's estimate of $0.96.
Following these developments, Mizuho Securities raised the price target for Cooper Companies to $120 from $115, while retaining an Outperform rating. In addition, Cooper Companies reported a record-breaking third quarter for 2024, with consolidated revenues surpassing $1 billion, marking an 8% increase from the previous year. The company has raised its full-year revenue guidance, anticipating continued operational strength and growth.
InvestingPro Insights
In light of the recent insider transactions at Cooper Companies, Inc. (NYSE:COO), current and potential investors may find the latest data from InvestingPro particularly insightful. As of the last twelve months ending in Q3 2024, Cooper Companies boasts a robust market capitalization of $22.02 billion, reflecting the scale and stability of the firm within the ophthalmic goods industry. The company's P/E ratio stands at 60.88, indicating a high valuation which may be justified by the expected net income growth this year, as per one of the InvestingPro Tips.
Additionally, the company has demonstrated strong performance with a revenue growth of 8.25% during the same period. This growth is coupled with an impressive gross profit margin of 66.36%, showcasing Cooper Companies' ability to maintain profitability in its operations. Another InvestingPro Tip to consider is that 13 analysts have revised their earnings upwards for the upcoming period, which could signal confidence in the company's future financial performance.
Investors should also note the company's recent price dynamics. Cooper Companies has experienced a substantial return of 15.23% over the last month and 20.45% over the last three months. This strong short-term performance is indicative of positive market sentiment towards the company, which may influence investment decisions. For those interested in further insights, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available on the platform, providing a deeper dive into Cooper Companies' financial health and market position.
For more detailed analysis and further InvestingPro Tips, which include indicators such as the stock's price volatility and dividend history, investors can visit https://www.investing.com/pro/COO.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.