Equities research analysts forecast that Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (NYSE:MTD) will post $652.08 million in sales for the current quarter, Zacks Investment Researchreports. Six analysts have provided estimates for Mettler-Toledo International’s earnings. The lowest sales estimate is $637.00 million and the highest is $657.70 million. Mettler-Toledo International reported sales of $594.57 million during the same quarter last year, which indicates a positive year over year growth rate of 9.7%. The business is expected to report its next earnings report on Thursday, May 3rd.

According to Zacks, analysts expect that Mettler-Toledo International will report full year sales of $652.08 million for the current financial year, with estimates ranging from $2.94 billion to $2.99 billion. For the next year, analysts anticipate that the firm will report sales of $3.13 billion per share, with estimates ranging from $3.08 billion to $3.16 billion. Zacks Investment Research’s sales averages are an average based on a survey of sell-side research analysts that cover Mettler-Toledo International.

Mettler-Toledo International (NYSE:MTD) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The medical instruments supplier reported $5.97 EPS for the quarter, topping the Thomson Reuters’ consensus estimate of $5.93 by $0.04. Mettler-Toledo International had a return on equity of 94.54% and a net margin of 13.80%. The business had revenue of $778.03 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $764.26 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $5.28 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was up 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year.

Several analysts have issued reports on the company. Deutsche Bank upped their price objective on Mettler-Toledo International from $600.00 to $630.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, March 1st. Robert W. Baird cut their price objective on Mettler-Toledo International from $675.00 to $630.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 9th. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on Mettler-Toledo International from $550.00 to $580.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, February 9th. Zacks Investment Research cut Mettler-Toledo International from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 7th. Finally, Citigroup upgraded Mettler-Toledo International from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and upped their price objective for the company from $685.00 to $692.00 in a research note on Friday, February 9th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. Mettler-Toledo International currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $649.30.

In other news, insider La Guerroniere Marc De sold 3,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $640.00, for a total transaction of $1,920,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 3,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,920,000. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CFO Shawn Vadala sold 300 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $605.20, for a total value of $181,560.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 5,599 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,388,514.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 24,700 shares of company stock valued at $15,296,602 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 5.20% of the company’s stock.

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. USA Mutuals Advisors Inc. bought a new position in Mettler-Toledo International in the 4th quarter worth approximately $101,000. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC bought a new position in Mettler-Toledo International in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $125,000. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new position in Mettler-Toledo International in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $193,000. Lourd Capital LLC bought a new position in Mettler-Toledo International in the 4th quarter worth approximately $211,000. Finally, Quadrant Private Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Mettler-Toledo International in the 4th quarter worth approximately $232,000. 91.20% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Shares of Mettler-Toledo International (NYSE MTD) opened at $605.29 on Wednesday. Mettler-Toledo International has a one year low of $471.14 and a one year high of $697.26. The stock has a market capitalization of $15,282.43, a P/E ratio of 42.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.48 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a current ratio of 1.46, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.75.

About Mettler-Toledo International

Mettler-Toledo International Inc is a supplier of precision instruments and services. The Company operates through five segments: U.S. Operations, Swiss Operations, Western European Operations, Chinese Operations and Other. The Company manufactures weighing instruments for use in laboratory, industrial, packaging, logistics and food retailing applications.