Brokerages Set Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACLS) Price Target at $154.00

Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACLS) has been assigned a consensus rating of “Hold” from the seven analysts that are covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $154.00.

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Needham & Company LLC reissued a “hold” rating on shares of Axcelis Technologies in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. William Blair downgraded Axcelis Technologies from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Craig Hallum decreased their target price on Axcelis Technologies from $115.00 to $105.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 15th.

Axcelis Technologies Stock Performance

NASDAQ ACLS opened at $49.71 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $1.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.08, a PEG ratio of 4.52 and a beta of 1.62. Axcelis Technologies has a twelve month low of $49.69 and a twelve month high of $158.61. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $61.80 and a 200 day simple moving average of $76.13. The company has a quick ratio of 4.05, a current ratio of 5.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04.

Axcelis Technologies (NASDAQ:ACLS) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 10th. The semiconductor company reported $1.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.25 by $0.29. Axcelis Technologies had a return on equity of 21.02% and a net margin of 19.75%. Sell-side analysts expect that Axcelis Technologies will post 2.55 EPS for the current year.

Axcelis Technologies announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback plan on Wednesday, March 12th that permits the company to repurchase $100.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the semiconductor company to buy up to 5.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are typically a sign that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Axcelis Technologies

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of ACLS. Signaturefd LLC boosted its position in shares of Axcelis Technologies by 90.6% during the fourth quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 364 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 173 shares during the last quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Axcelis Technologies by 1,153.8% during the fourth quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 489 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 450 shares during the last quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC grew its position in Axcelis Technologies by 1,415.2% in the 4th quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC now owns 500 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 467 shares in the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. increased its stake in Axcelis Technologies by 85.5% in the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 627 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 289 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Axcelis Technologies by 184.3% during the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 668 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $47,000 after buying an additional 433 shares in the last quarter. 89.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Axcelis Technologies Company Profile

Axcelis Technologies, Inc designs, manufactures, and services ion implantation and other processing equipment used in the fabrication of semiconductor chips in the United States, Europe, and Asia Pacific. The company offers high energy, high current, and medium current implanters for various application requirements.