SG Americas Securities LLC Grows Holdings in Watts Water Technologies, Inc. $WTS

SG Americas Securities LLC boosted its position in shares of Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS) by 151.2% during the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 10,579 shares of the technology company’s stock after acquiring an additional 6,368 shares during the quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC’s holdings in Watts Water Technologies were worth $2,920,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Wexford Capital LP bought a new position in shares of Watts Water Technologies in the third quarter worth approximately $26,000. Advisory Services Network LLC purchased a new position in shares of Watts Water Technologies during the 3rd quarter valued at $29,000. Stance Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Watts Water Technologies during the 3rd quarter valued at $62,000. Allworth Financial LP boosted its holdings in Watts Water Technologies by 29.7% in the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 253 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $71,000 after buying an additional 58 shares during the period. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in Watts Water Technologies by 31.6% in the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 258 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $72,000 after buying an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.02% of the company’s stock.

Watts Water Technologies Stock Down 0.1%

WTS opened at $288.72 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $9.63 billion, a PE ratio of 28.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 1.27. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $308.70 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $289.23. The company has a quick ratio of 1.49, a current ratio of 2.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10. Watts Water Technologies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $177.59 and a 52 week high of $345.17.

Watts Water Technologies (NYSE:WTS) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 11th. The technology company reported $2.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.36 by $0.26. Watts Water Technologies had a return on equity of 18.55% and a net margin of 13.98%.The firm had revenue of $625.10 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $610.40 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.05 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 15.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts forecast that Watts Water Technologies, Inc. will post 9.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Watts Water Technologies Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 27th were issued a dividend of $0.52 per share. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 27th. Watts Water Technologies’s dividend payout ratio is 20.45%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have commented on WTS. KeyCorp raised their price target on Watts Water Technologies from $340.00 to $360.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Zacks Research cut Watts Water Technologies from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, February 27th. Barclays boosted their price target on Watts Water Technologies from $300.00 to $323.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday, February 13th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on Watts Water Technologies from $320.00 to $389.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Finally, TD Cowen reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of Watts Water Technologies in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $334.11.

Insider Activity

In related news, major shareholder Timothy P. Horne sold 7,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $330.04, for a total transaction of $2,475,300.00. Following the sale, the insider owned 7,500 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,475,300. This represents a 50.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Michael J. Dubose sold 332 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $301.70, for a total transaction of $100,164.40. Following the transaction, the director owned 2,212 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $667,360.40. This trade represents a 13.05% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 29,674 shares of company stock worth $9,669,838. 1.00% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Watts Water Technologies Company Profile

Watts Water Technologies, Inc is a global manufacturer and distributor of flow control products and solutions designed to ensure the safe, efficient delivery and use of water. Founded in 1874 and headquartered in North Andover, Massachusetts, the company has built a reputation for engineering innovation in residential, commercial and industrial plumbing, heating, cooling and water treatment systems. Watts operates through a comprehensive portfolio of brands and product lines that address application-specific requirements in water safety, pressure regulation, flow control and filtration.

The company’s product offerings span backflow preventers, pressure reducing valves, relief valves and steam traps, as well as hydronic balancing and temperature control devices for heating systems.