Vanguard Discloses 9.2% Stake in A. O. Smith Corp.

Ticker: AOS · Form: SC 13G/A · Filed: Feb 13, 2024 · CIK: 91142

Complexity: simple

Sentiment: neutral

Topics: institutional-ownership, passive-investment, amendment, large-holder

TL;DR

**Vanguard still owns 9.2% of A. O. Smith, showing continued institutional confidence.**

AI Summary

The Vanguard Group, a major investment firm, filed an amended SC 13G/A on February 13, 2024, disclosing its ownership in A. O. Smith Corp. As of December 29, 2023, Vanguard beneficially owned 14,064,200 shares of A. O. Smith's Common Stock, representing 9.2% of the company. This filing indicates Vanguard's continued significant, but passive, investment in A. O. Smith, signaling confidence in the company's long-term prospects for investors.

Why It Matters

This filing shows that a major institutional investor, Vanguard, holds a substantial portion of A. O. Smith, which can be seen as a vote of confidence in the company's stability and future performance.

Risk Assessment

Risk Level: low — The filing indicates a passive investment by a large, diversified fund manager, which generally reduces immediate risk for the underlying stock.

Analyst Insight

Investors should note Vanguard's continued substantial, passive holding in A. O. Smith, which suggests long-term institutional confidence without indicating any immediate strategic changes or activist intent.

Key Numbers

Key Players & Entities

Forward-Looking Statements

FAQ

What is the purpose of an SC 13G/A filing?

An SC 13G/A is an amendment to a Schedule 13G, which is filed by an institutional investor (like Vanguard) to report beneficial ownership of 5% or more of a company's stock, indicating a passive investment intent. This specific filing is the 15th amendment, as stated in the document.

Who is the reporting person in this filing?

The reporting person is The Vanguard Group, identified by IRS Identification No. 23-1945930, and organized in Pennsylvania, as detailed in the filing.

What percentage of A. O. Smith Corp. common stock does Vanguard beneficially own?

As of December 29, 2023, The Vanguard Group beneficially owns 9.2% of the Common Stock of A. O. Smith Corp., as indicated on the cover page of the filing.

How many shares of A. O. Smith Corp. does Vanguard have sole voting power over?

The Vanguard Group has sole voting power over 0 shares of A. O. Smith Corp. Common Stock, according to item 5 on the cover page.

What is the CUSIP number for A. O. Smith Corp. Common Stock?

The CUSIP number for A. O. Smith Corp. Common Stock is 831865209, as stated in the filing.

Filing Stats: 813 words · 3 min read · ~3 pages · Grade level 11.3 · Accepted 2024-02-13 16:55:55

Filing Documents

(a) - Name of Issuer

Item 1(a) - Name of Issuer: A O Smith Corp

(b) - Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices

Item 1(b) - Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices: 11270 West Park Place, Suite 170 Milwaukee, WI 53224-9508

(a) - Name of Person Filing

Item 2(a) - Name of Person Filing: The Vanguard Group - 23-1945930

(b) – Address of Principal Business Office or, if none, residence

Item 2(b) – Address of Principal Business Office or, if none, residence: 100 Vanguard Blvd. Malvern, PA 19355

(c) – Citizenship

Item 2(c) – Citizenship: Pennsylvania

(d) - Title of Class of Securities

Item 2(d) - Title of Class of Securities: Common Stock

(e) - CUSIP Number

Item 2(e) - CUSIP Number 831865209

- Type of Filing

Item 3 - Type of Filing: This statement is being filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1. An investment adviser in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E).

- Ownership

Item 4 - Ownership: (a) Amount Beneficially Owned: (b) Percent of Class: (c) Number of shares as to which such person has: (i) sole power to vote or direct to vote: (ii) shared power to vote or direct to vote: (iii) sole power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of: (iv) shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: Comments: The responses to questions 5 through 9 and 11 on the cover page(s) are incorporated by reference into this Item 4.

- Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class

Item 5 - Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class: If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than 5 percent of the class of securities, check the following

- Ownership of More Than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person

Item 6 - Ownership of More Than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person: The Vanguard Group, Inc.'s clients, including investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and other managed accounts, have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, the securities reported herein. No one other person's interest in the securities reported herein is more than 5%. Item 7 - Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired The Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company: Not applicable

- Identification and Classification of Members of Group

Item 8 - Identification and Classification of Members of Group: Not applicable

- Notice of Dissolution of Group

Item 9 - Notice of Dissolution of Group: Not applicable

- Certification

Item 10 - Certification: By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under 240.14a-11. Signature After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. Date: February 13, 2024 By /s/ Ashley Grim Name: Ashley Grim Title: Head of Global Fund Administration

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