Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE:WMS) Stock Holdings Increased by Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC

Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE:WMS - Free Report) by 64.6% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 102,785 shares of the construction company's stock after purchasing an additional 40,348 shares during the quarter. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC owned about 0.13% of Advanced Drainage Systems worth $11,882,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in WMS. Norges Bank bought a new position in Advanced Drainage Systems in the 4th quarter worth approximately $86,185,000. Impax Asset Management Group plc grew its stake in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 34.6% in the fourth quarter. Impax Asset Management Group plc now owns 2,530,000 shares of the construction company's stock worth $291,723,000 after purchasing an additional 650,052 shares in the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP increased its holdings in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 45.8% during the fourth quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 1,732,827 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $200,315,000 after purchasing an additional 544,109 shares during the period. Amundi raised its stake in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 72.2% during the fourth quarter. Amundi now owns 854,764 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $98,678,000 after purchasing an additional 358,271 shares in the last quarter. Finally, KBC Group NV lifted its holdings in Advanced Drainage Systems by 21.2% in the fourth quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 738,749 shares of the construction company's stock worth $85,399,000 after purchasing an additional 129,252 shares during the period. 89.83% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have commented on WMS shares. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Advanced Drainage Systems from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 1st. Stephens reissued an "equal weight" rating and set a $135.00 target price on shares of Advanced Drainage Systems in a report on Friday, February 7th. KeyCorp decreased their price target on Advanced Drainage Systems from $180.00 to $135.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on Advanced Drainage Systems in a research note on Tuesday, April 1st. They issued a "buy" rating and a $134.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, UBS Group raised Advanced Drainage Systems from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $155.00 target price for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Advanced Drainage Systems presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $153.78.

Advanced Drainage Systems Trading Up 5.0 %

Shares of NYSE:WMS traded up $5.32 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $111.26. The company had a trading volume of 477,012 shares, compared to its average volume of 574,429. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $109.01 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $123.61. The firm has a market cap of $8.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 1.48. Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. has a 1-year low of $93.92 and a 1-year high of $184.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 1.98 and a current ratio of 3.21.

Advanced Drainage Systems (NYSE:WMS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The construction company reported $1.09 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.34 by ($0.25). Advanced Drainage Systems had a net margin of 15.90% and a return on equity of 35.79%. Research analysts predict that Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. will post 6.1 earnings per share for the current year.

Advanced Drainage Systems Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 28th were given a $0.16 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 28th. This represents a $0.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.58%. Advanced Drainage Systems's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 10.70%.

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.