ClearOne, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLRO), a company that designs, develops, and commercializes conferencing, collaboration, and network streaming and signage solutions for voice and visual communications, recently announced its quarterly earnings, reporting a $0.22 earnings per share for the third quarter of 2016.
Although slightly lower than during the same period of the previous year, ClearOne reported revenue of $12.9 million for the quarter with a net margin of 9.78% and a return on equity of 8.5%. Gross profit for the third quarter of 2016 came in at $7.7 million, with net income of $1.2 million and a non-GAAP net income of $2.0 million.
In addition to the above, a number of hedge funds and other investors opened new and increased stock positions in the company. In particular, Wellington Management Group LLP raised its stock position in CLRO by just under 18%, giving it a 7.72% ownership stake of ClearOne, Inc. worth just over $8 million.
According to an article on The Cerbat Gem Market News and Analysis website (http://dtn.fm/imI3V), Morgan Stanley and Northern Trust Corp. raised their positions in shares by 373.8% and 1.9%, respectively, giving them both stakes worth more than $100,000. Vanguard Group, Inc. also raised its position in shares of CLRO by 0.4%, giving it shares of the company’s stock worth more than $1.5 million. As a result of these new and increased stock positions, hedge funds and other investors now own just under 19% of the company, with CLRO Director Larry Hendricks buying shares valued at $232,554.
ClearOne also recently announced that it will be paying a quarterly dividend to investors of $0.05. This adds up to a $0.20 yearly dividend, giving the company a dividend payout ratio of 37.74%. The company has also been the topic of several recent research reports.
The Cerbat Gem Market News and Analysis site referred to above also reported that, while The Street recently lowered shares for ClearOne from a ‘Buy’ rating to a ‘Hold’ rating, Zacks Investment Research upgraded the company’s rating from ‘Hold’ to ‘Buy’ with a target price of $13. In addition, B. Riley gave the company a ‘Buy’ rating with a target price of $13.25. Lastly, Singular Research also gave the company a ‘Buy’ rating with a price objective on its stock of $14.50.
Finally, ClearOne has also now entered into a new distribution agreement with National Source AV whereby National Source AV will represent ClearOne’s media collaboration, UC voice portfolios, and video conferencing to a variety of consultants and other potential stakeholders across Canada.
For more information, visit the company’s website at www.clearone.com
