Cibc World Markets Corp Takes $521,000 Position in Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS)

Cibc World Markets Corp purchased a new position in Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 2,563 shares of the technology company's stock, valued at approximately $521,000.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Champlain Investment Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Watts Water Technologies in the third quarter worth $47,238,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Watts Water Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at $23,044,000. Erste Asset Management GmbH purchased a new position in Watts Water Technologies in the 3rd quarter worth $10,792,000. Wealthfront Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in Watts Water Technologies during the 4th quarter worth about $9,773,000. Finally, Retirement Systems of Alabama increased its holdings in shares of Watts Water Technologies by 122.9% in the fourth quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 74,194 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $15,084,000 after purchasing an additional 40,912 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.02% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Elie Melhem sold 4,397 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.53, for a total value of $925,700.41. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 10,469 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,204,038.57. The trade was a 29.58 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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Watts Water Technologies Stock Performance

Watts Water Technologies stock traded up $1.03 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $212.43. The company had a trading volume of 149,229 shares, compared to its average volume of 153,377. The company has a market capitalization of $7.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.45, a P/E/G ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 0.93. Watts Water Technologies, Inc. has a 12-month low of $175.37 and a 12-month high of $232.60. The company's fifty day moving average is $211.40 and its 200-day moving average is $207.77. The company has a current ratio of 2.59, a quick ratio of 1.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12.

Watts Water Technologies (NYSE:WTS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 10th. The technology company reported $2.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.91 by $0.14. Watts Water Technologies had a net margin of 12.93% and a return on equity of 18.08%. Equities research analysts predict that Watts Water Technologies, Inc. will post 9.08 EPS for the current year.

Watts Water Technologies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 14th. Investors of record on Friday, February 28th were paid a $0.43 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 28th. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.81%. Watts Water Technologies's dividend payout ratio is presently 19.79%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on Watts Water Technologies in a report on Tuesday, December 17th. They set a "hold" rating and a $240.00 target price for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on shares of Watts Water Technologies from $197.00 to $217.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on shares of Watts Water Technologies from $218.00 to $219.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $220.00.

Watts Water Technologies Profile

Watts Water Technologies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, supplies products and solutions that manage and conserve the flow of fluids and energy into, through, and out of buildings in the commercial, industrial, and residential markets in the Americas, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa.