As Abbott Labs (ABT) Stock Price Declined, Shareholder Maryland Capital Management Cut Its Holding; Washington Trust Company Has Increased Nextera Energy (NEE) Position by $431,138

December 25, 2017 - By Winifred Garcia

Maryland Capital Management decreased its stake in Abbott Labs (ABT) by 8.13% based on its latest 2017Q3 regulatory filing with the SEC. Maryland Capital Management sold 34,007 shares as the company’s stock declined 3.42% while stock markets rallied. The institutional investor held 384,225 shares of the major pharmaceuticals company at the end of 2017Q3, valued at $20.50M, down from 418,232 at the end of the previous reported quarter. Maryland Capital Management who had been investing in Abbott Labs for a number of months, seems to be less bullish one the $99.09 billion market cap company. It closed at $56.93 lastly. It is down 15.90% since December 25, 2016 and is uptrending. It has underperformed by 0.80% the S&P500.

Washington Trust Company increased its stake in Nextera Energy Inc (NEE) by 4.1% based on its latest 2017Q3 regulatory filing with the SEC. Washington Trust Company bought 2,953 shares as the company’s stock rose 8.22% with the market. The institutional investor held 74,923 shares of the public utilities company at the end of 2017Q3, valued at $10.98M, up from 71,970 at the end of the previous reported quarter. Washington Trust Company who had been investing in Nextera Energy Inc for a number of months, seems to be bullish on the $72.70 billion market cap company. The stock increased 0.04% or $0.06 during the last trading session, reaching $154.54. About 1.08 million shares traded. NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE) has risen 15.94% since December 25, 2016 and is uptrending. It has underperformed by 0.76% the S&P500.

Washington Trust Company, which manages about $1.68 billion US Long portfolio, decreased its stake in Vanguard (VNQ) by 6,934 shares to 81,445 shares, valued at $6.77 million in 2017Q3, according to the filing. It also reduced its holding in Bank Of America Corp (NYSE:BAC) by 37,969 shares in the quarter, leaving it with 1.22M shares, and cut its stake in Ishares Tr (AGG).

Among 14 analysts covering Nextera Energy Inc. (NYSE:NEE), 12 have Buy rating, 0 Sell and 2 Hold. Therefore 86% are positive. Nextera Energy Inc. had 35 analyst reports since August 5, 2015 according to SRatingsIntel. Robert W. Baird upgraded NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE) on Friday, January 29 to “Outperform” rating. Morgan Stanley maintained the stock with “Overweight” rating in Thursday, August 10 report. The firm has “Overweight” rating by Morgan Stanley given on Wednesday, December 13. The firm has “Buy” rating by Argus Research given on Thursday, March 17. BMO Capital Markets maintained NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE) on Thursday, June 22 with “Buy” rating. The stock has “Overweight” rating by Barclays Capital on Friday, March 18. The rating was maintained by RBC Capital Markets with “Buy” on Sunday, September 3. RBC Capital Markets maintained the stock with “Buy” rating in Monday, July 31 report. The rating was maintained by RBC Capital Markets with “Buy” on Thursday, July 6. RBC Capital Markets maintained NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE) on Sunday, November 5 with “Buy” rating.

Investors sentiment decreased to 0.95 in Q3 2017. Its down 0.02, from 0.97 in 2017Q2. It turned negative, as 38 investors sold NEE shares while 396 reduced holdings. 89 funds opened positions while 323 raised stakes. 344.40 million shares or 7.22% less from 371.19 million shares in 2017Q2 were reported. Price T Rowe Assoc Md accumulated 0.31% or 12.44 million shares. Jaffetilchin Investment Partners Lc owns 6,657 shares for 0.23% of their portfolio. Mcf Advsrs Limited Liability Co holds 0.04% or 1,267 shares. Moreover, Liberty Capital Mngmt has 0.14% invested in NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE). Pinebridge Invests Limited Partnership invested in 3,670 shares or 0.01% of the stock. Lbmc Invest Advisors Limited Liability stated it has 0.05% of its portfolio in NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE). Reaves W H And Company, New Jersey-based fund reported 1.17M shares. Hancock Hldgs Company invested 0.01% in NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE). Hamilton Point Investment Advisors Limited Co has invested 1.33% in NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE). Harvest Capital Mgmt invested in 4,905 shares or 0.28% of the stock. Thornburg Inv Management Incorporated has invested 0% in NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE). Cwm Ltd Liability Com invested in 0.01% or 746 shares. Barometer Management invested in 101,300 shares. The California-based Bedell Frazier Inv Counseling Ltd Liability Company has invested 0.11% in NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE). Folger Nolan Fleming Douglas invested in 0.48% or 22,517 shares.

Since August 3, 2017, it had 0 insider purchases, and 4 sales for $9.61 million activity. KETCHUM JOHN W sold 2,900 shares worth $435,000. 30,485 shares were sold by Sieving Charles E, worth $4.47 million. Kelliher Joseph T also sold $300,000 worth of NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE) on Wednesday, October 11.

Analysts await Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) to report earnings on January, 24 before the open. They expect $0.73 earnings per share, up 12.31% or $0.08 from last year’s $0.65 per share. ABT’s profit will be $1.27 billion for 19.50 P/E if the $0.73 EPS becomes a reality. After $0.66 actual earnings per share reported by Abbott Laboratories for the previous quarter, Wall Street now forecasts 10.61% EPS growth.

Among 24 analysts covering Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT), 15 have Buy rating, 0 Sell and 9 Hold. Therefore 63% are positive. Abbott Laboratories had 88 analyst reports since July 24, 2015 according to SRatingsIntel. The firm earned “Buy” rating on Thursday, October 19 by RBC Capital Markets. The stock of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) has “Buy” rating given on Thursday, October 19 by Stifel Nicolaus. Barclays Capital upgraded Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) on Wednesday, October 7 to “Overweight” rating. Cowen & Co maintained Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) on Wednesday, October 18 with “Buy” rating. The rating was maintained by BTIG Research on Saturday, August 29 with “Buy”. As per Tuesday, March 15, the company rating was maintained by Jefferies. On Friday, July 21 the stock rating was maintained by Argus Research with “Buy”. Credit Suisse reinitiated it with “Outperform” rating and $55 target in Monday, August 10 report. William Blair downgraded the stock to “Market Perform” rating in Friday, January 29 report. UBS initiated Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) on Tuesday, September 22 with “Neutral” rating.

Investors sentiment decreased to 0.87 in Q3 2017. Its down 0.01, from 0.88 in 2017Q2. It worsened, as 47 investors sold ABT shares while 563 reduced holdings. 111 funds opened positions while 421 raised stakes. 1.21 billion shares or 0.79% less from 1.22 billion shares in 2017Q2 were reported. Alpha Windward Lc reported 5,367 shares. Pension Serv reported 1.36M shares or 0.4% of all its holdings. The New Jersey-based Private Advisor Group Lc has invested 0.22% in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT). Fruth Investment Management accumulated 40,031 shares. 1St Source Bankshares, Indiana-based fund reported 50,827 shares. Moreover, First Heartland Consultants has 0.05% invested in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT). Tiverton Asset Management Ltd, a Delaware-based fund reported 186,781 shares. Greenleaf Tru holds 0.02% or 19,108 shares in its portfolio. Moreover, Catawba Capital Mgmt Va has 0.5% invested in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) for 41,771 shares. Patten Group Inc accumulated 1,471 shares. 26,154 are held by Old Mutual Customised Solutions (Proprietary). Texas Cap Comml Bank Tx has invested 0.72% in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT). Butensky And Cohen Security Inc owns 36,242 shares or 1.72% of their US portfolio. First Midwest Retail Bank Division stated it has 0.99% in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT). Mcdaniel Terry stated it has 14,273 shares.