Epoch Investment Partners Inc. Sells 2,708 Shares of Republic Services, Inc. $RSG

Epoch Investment Partners Inc. trimmed its stake in Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG) by 3.9% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 67,047 shares of the business services provider’s stock after selling 2,708 shares during the quarter. Epoch Investment Partners Inc.’s holdings in Republic Services were worth $14,209,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Republic Services in the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Wealth Watch Advisors INC acquired a new position in Republic Services during the 3rd quarter valued at about $26,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Republic Services in the third quarter valued at about $29,000. Sound Income Strategies LLC acquired a new position in shares of Republic Services in the fourth quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, Hilton Head Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Republic Services in the fourth quarter valued at about $32,000. 57.73% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. BMO Capital Markets cut their price objective on Republic Services from $251.00 to $248.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 18th. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $249.00 price objective on shares of Republic Services in a report on Friday, May 8th. Argus lowered Republic Services from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, May 11th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Republic Services from $238.00 to $252.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, March 18th. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on Republic Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 18th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eleven have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Republic Services presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $243.26.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Republic Services news, Director Sandra M. Volpe sold 1,800 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $211.28, for a total transaction of $380,304.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 58 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,254.24. This represents a 96.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Cascade Investment, L.L.C. purchased 366,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 13th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $202.24 per share, for a total transaction of $74,019,840.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 110,315,982 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $22,310,304,199.68. This represents a 0.33% increase in their position. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Insiders have acquired 987,150 shares of company stock worth $202,366,682 in the last quarter. 0.12% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Republic Services Stock Performance

Shares of RSG stock opened at $209.75 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $64.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.09, a P/E/G ratio of 3.45 and a beta of 0.41. The business’s 50 day moving average is $208.84 and its two-hundred day moving average is $214.52. The company has a current ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11. Republic Services, Inc. has a 12-month low of $196.41 and a 12-month high of $253.38.

Republic Services (NYSE:RSG) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 8th. The business services provider reported $1.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.64 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $4.11 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.10 billion. Republic Services had a return on equity of 18.57% and a net margin of 13.00%.Republic Services’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.58 earnings per share. Analysts expect that Republic Services, Inc. will post 7.28 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Republic Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.625 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 2nd. This represents a $2.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.2%. Republic Services’s dividend payout ratio is currently 35.87%.

Republic Services Profile

Republic Services, Inc is a leading provider of non-hazardous solid waste and recycling services in the United States. The company offers a broad range of waste management solutions to residential, commercial, industrial and municipal customers, positioning itself as a full-service partner for everyday waste collection as well as specialized disposal needs.

Republic’s core operations include curbside and commercial collection, transfer and hauling, materials recovery and recycling facilities, and landfill disposal.