Desjardins Global Asset Management Inc. Takes $2.25 Million Position in BHP Group Limited (NYSE:BHP)

Desjardins Global Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in BHP Group Limited (NYSE:BHP) during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm bought 32,888 shares of the mining company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,247,000.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Covestor Ltd acquired a new stake in BHP Group during the first quarter worth about $26,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. acquired a new stake in BHP Group during the first quarter worth about $27,000. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. increased its stake in shares of BHP Group by 110.0% in the second quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. now owns 460 shares of the mining company’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 241 shares during the period. Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of BHP Group in the first quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Finally, Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. acquired a new stake in shares of BHP Group in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 3.79% of the company’s stock.

BHP Group Stock Down 3.6 %

NYSE BHP opened at $56.94 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a current ratio of 1.57. The company’s fifty day moving average is $58.16 and its two-hundred day moving average is $60.13. BHP Group Limited has a 52-week low of $54.28 and a 52-week high of $69.11.

BHP Group Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 8th were given a dividend of $1.44 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 7th. This represents a dividend yield of 5.2%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently commented on BHP shares. Liberum Capital reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of BHP Group in a report on Tuesday, March 5th. StockNews.com lowered shares of BHP Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 21st. Finally, Citigroup upgraded shares of BHP Group from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, March 14th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $50.00.

About BHP Group

BHP Group Limited operates as a resources company in Australia, Europe, China, Japan, India, South Korea, the rest of Asia, North America, South America, and internationally. The company operates through Copper, Iron Ore, and Coal segments. It engages in the mining of copper, silver, zinc, molybdenum, uranium, gold, iron ore, and metallurgical and energy coal.