Independent Wealth Network Acquires Significant Stake in Amphenol

Independent Wealth Network Inc. has acquired a new position in shares of **Amphenol Corporation** (NYSE: APH), purchasing **2,695 shares** valued at approximately **$266,000** during the second quarter of 2023, according to a report by HoldingsChannel. This investment reflects a growing interest among institutional investors in the electronics maker, known for its production of connectors and interconnect systems.

Several other institutional investors have also increased their stakes in Amphenol. **Brighton Jones LLC** raised its position by an impressive **114%** in the fourth quarter, acquiring an additional **9,390 shares** to own a total of **17,624 shares** valued at **$1.224 million**. Similarly, **Revolve Wealth Partners LLC** boosted its holdings by **87.9%**, now owning **10,094 shares** valued at **$701,000** after purchasing an additional **4,721 shares**.

**Bison Wealth LLC** increased its stake by **8.3%**, totaling **8,042 shares** worth **$559,000**. Meanwhile, **MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB** raised its stake by **24.1%**, owning **9,267 shares** valued at **$608,000** after acquiring an additional **1,797 shares**. Lastly, **Versant Capital Management Inc.** increased its position by **23.1%**, now holding **2,007 shares** worth **$132,000**. Currently, **97.01%** of Amphenol’s stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Transactions and Recent Performance

In a notable insider transaction, **William J. Doherty**, an insider at Amphenol, sold **113,000 shares** on **August 11, 2023**, at an average price of **$110.29**, totaling approximately **$12.46 million**. Another significant sale involved **CFO Craig A. Lampo**, who sold **40,076 shares** on **August 25, 2023**, for about **$4.43 million**, resulting in a **50.12%** decrease in his holdings. Insider trading has seen a total of **665,924 shares** sold over the past ninety days, valued at **$73.37 million**. Corporate insiders currently hold **1.67%** of the company’s stock.

In its latest quarterly earnings report, Amphenol revealed earnings per share (EPS) of **$0.81** for the second quarter, surpassing analysts’ expectations of **$0.66** by **$0.15**. The company reported a net margin of **16.90%** and a return on equity of **30.58%**, with revenues reaching **$5.65 billion**, significantly above the forecast of **$5.01 billion**. This marks a **56.5%** increase in revenue compared to the same quarter last year.

Amphenol has provided guidance for the third quarter of 2023, predicting EPS between **$0.770** and **$0.790**. Analysts anticipate an overall EPS of **$2.36** for the current fiscal year, reflecting strong confidence in the company’s performance.

Dividend Announcement and Analyst Ratings

The company also announced a quarterly dividend to be paid on **October 8, 2023**, with stockholders of record on **September 16, 2023**, set to receive a dividend of **$0.165** per share. This equates to an annualized dividend of **$0.66** and a yield of **0.5%**, with a payout ratio currently at **26.29%**.

Recent analyst ratings show a positive outlook for Amphenol. **KGI Securities** initiated coverage with a “hold” rating, while **Goldman Sachs Group** reaffirmed a “buy” rating. **Citigroup** raised its target price to **$145.00**, up from **$125.00**, and **UBS Group** also increased its target price from **$115.00** to **$120.00**, maintaining a “buy” rating. Overall, eight analysts rate the stock as a “buy,” while four have issued a “hold” rating, resulting in a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” with an average target price of **$107.15**.

Amphenol Corporation, headquartered in the United States, specializes in designing, manufacturing, and marketing electrical, electronic, and fiber optic connectors, operating through three segments: Harsh Environment Solutions, Communications Solutions, and Interconnect and Sensor Systems. As the company continues to attract significant institutional investment and deliver strong financial performance, it remains a key player in the electronics sector.