Certior Financial Group LLC Invests $442,000 in Watsco, Inc. (NYSE:WSO)

Certior Financial Group LLC bought a new position in Watsco, Inc. (NYSE:WSO - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 933 shares of the construction company's stock, valued at approximately $442,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. 2Xideas AG increased its holdings in Watsco by 53.5% during the fourth quarter. 2Xideas AG now owns 25,531 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $12,099,000 after buying an additional 8,901 shares during the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its position in shares of Watsco by 2.8% during the fourth quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 16,855 shares of the construction company's stock worth $7,987,000 after purchasing an additional 457 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Watsco by 1.2% during the fourth quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 260,104 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $123,261,000 after buying an additional 3,196 shares during the last quarter. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. purchased a new stake in Watsco in the 4th quarter worth $5,342,000. Finally, Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. purchased a new stake in shares of Watsco in the fourth quarter worth about $2,623,000. 89.71% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Watsco Stock Up 2.1 %

Shares of NYSE WSO traded up $10.63 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $509.76. 214,485 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 254,309. The stock has a market cap of $20.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.47 and a beta of 1.00. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $496.96 and a 200 day moving average of $498.92. Watsco, Inc. has a 1 year low of $396.82 and a 1 year high of $571.42.

Watsco (NYSE:WSO - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 18th. The construction company reported $2.37 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.13 by $0.24. Watsco had a return on equity of 17.59% and a net margin of 7.04%. The firm had revenue of $1.75 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.67 billion. On average, equities analysts forecast that Watsco, Inc. will post 14.62 earnings per share for the current year.

Watsco Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 30th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 15th will be issued a dividend of $3.00 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, April 15th. This is a positive change from Watsco's previous quarterly dividend of $2.70. This represents a $12.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.35%. Watsco's payout ratio is 90.57%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have commented on the stock. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on shares of Watsco from $540.00 to $560.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 19th. Loop Capital increased their target price on Watsco from $450.00 to $460.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, Raymond James started coverage on shares of Watsco in a research note on Friday, January 17th. They set a "market perform" rating for the company. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $486.25.

Watsco Company Profile

Watsco, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the distribution of air conditioning, heating, refrigeration equipment, and related parts and supplies in the United States and internationally. The company distributes equipment, including residential ducted and ductless air conditioners, such as gas, electric, and oil furnaces; commercial air conditioning and heating equipment systems; and other specialized equipment.