Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE:WMS) Given Consensus Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Brokerages

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE:WMS - Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of "Moderate Buy" by the seven research firms that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and six have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $170.29.

Several analysts have issued reports on the stock. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Advanced Drainage Systems from $194.00 to $172.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 11th. Loop Capital reduced their target price on Advanced Drainage Systems from $180.00 to $170.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 11th. KeyCorp dropped their price target on Advanced Drainage Systems from $195.00 to $180.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 11th. Oppenheimer reduced their price objective on Advanced Drainage Systems from $192.00 to $184.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 11th. Finally, Stephens reiterated an "equal weight" rating and set a $135.00 price objective (down previously from $170.00) on shares of Advanced Drainage Systems in a research report on Wednesday, November 13th.

Advanced Drainage Systems Price Performance

Shares of WMS traded up $0.68 on Wednesday, reaching $116.22. The stock had a trading volume of 197,051 shares, compared to its average volume of 522,613. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $136.30 and a 200 day moving average of $150.27. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.01 billion, a PE ratio of 18.51, a PEG ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 1.48. Advanced Drainage Systems has a twelve month low of $113.88 and a twelve month high of $184.27. The company has a quick ratio of 2.15, a current ratio of 3.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97.

Advanced Drainage Systems (NYSE:WMS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 8th. The construction company reported $1.70 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.93 by ($0.23). Advanced Drainage Systems had a net margin of 16.89% and a return on equity of 40.31%. The firm had revenue of $782.60 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $819.41 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.71 EPS. The company's quarterly revenue was up .3% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that Advanced Drainage Systems will post 6.12 EPS for the current year.

Advanced Drainage Systems Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 2nd were paid a $0.16 dividend. This represents a $0.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.55%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 2nd. Advanced Drainage Systems's payout ratio is 10.19%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Advanced Drainage Systems

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. CIBC Asset Management Inc grew its position in Advanced Drainage Systems by 3.6% during the third quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 2,271 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $357,000 after acquiring an additional 79 shares during the period. CWM LLC grew its holdings in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 18.1% during the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 555 shares of the construction company's stock worth $87,000 after purchasing an additional 85 shares during the period. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in Advanced Drainage Systems by 4.8% during the 3rd quarter. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,411 shares of the construction company's stock worth $379,000 after purchasing an additional 111 shares in the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. raised its holdings in Advanced Drainage Systems by 20.5% in the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 693 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $109,000 after buying an additional 118 shares during the period. Finally, QRG Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in Advanced Drainage Systems by 8.8% during the third quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,638 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $257,000 after buying an additional 132 shares in the last quarter. 89.83% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Advanced Drainage Systems Company Profile

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc designs, manufactures, and markets thermoplastic corrugated pipes and related water management products in North America and internationally. The company operates through Pipe, International, Infiltrator, and Allied Products & Other segments. It offers single, double, and triple wall corrugated polypropylene and polyethylene pipes; plastic leachfield chambers and systems; EZflow synthetic aggregate bundles; wastewater purification through mechanical aeration wastewater for residential and commercial systems; septic tanks and accessories; combined treatment and dispersal systems, including advanced enviro-septic and advanced treatment leachfield systems; and allied products, including storm retention/detention and septic chambers, polyvinyl chloride drainage structures, fittings, and water quality filters and separators.