Empirical Asset Management LLC Invests $1.01 Million in Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG)

Empirical Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 5,004 shares of the business services provider's stock, valued at approximately $1,007,000.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. FSA Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Republic Services in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC boosted its stake in Republic Services by 351.6% during the 3rd quarter. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC now owns 140 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 109 shares during the last quarter. Webster Bank N. A. purchased a new stake in shares of Republic Services during the third quarter worth $31,000. Truvestments Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Republic Services in the third quarter valued at about $34,000. Finally, Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. purchased a new position in shares of Republic Services in the second quarter worth about $36,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.73% of the company's stock.

Republic Services Stock Up 0.9 %

Shares of Republic Services stock traded up $1.93 during trading on Friday, hitting $213.85. 1,252,829 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 890,373. The stock has a market cap of $66.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.98 and a beta of 0.73. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $209.27 and its 200 day moving average price is $204.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 0.64 and a quick ratio of 0.64. Republic Services, Inc. has a 12-month low of $165.99 and a 12-month high of $220.58.

Republic Services (NYSE:RSG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 29th. The business services provider reported $1.81 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.61 by $0.20. The business had revenue of $4.08 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.12 billion. Republic Services had a return on equity of 18.18% and a net margin of 12.46%. The business's quarterly revenue was up 6.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.54 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Republic Services, Inc. will post 6.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Republic Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 2nd were given a $0.58 dividend. This represents a $2.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.08%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 2nd. Republic Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 37.12%.

Insider Activity at Republic Services

In related news, Director Katharine Weymouth sold 1,859 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $215.27, for a total transaction of $400,186.93. Following the transaction, the director now owns 879 shares of the company's stock, valued at $189,222.33. This trade represents a 67.90 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CFO Brian M. Delghiaccio sold 5,071 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.02, for a total value of $1,065,011.42. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 6,318 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,326,906.36. This represents a 44.53 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.09% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have commented on RSG shares. Royal Bank of Canada upgraded shares of Republic Services from a "sector perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and increased their price objective for the company from $219.00 to $237.00 in a report on Monday, January 6th. William Blair assumed coverage on Republic Services in a research report on Thursday, October 3rd. They set an "outperform" rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Republic Services from $217.00 to $220.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Oppenheimer lifted their price target on Republic Services from $219.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upgraded shares of Republic Services from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and raised their price target for the stock from $211.00 to $238.00 in a report on Friday, December 6th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $221.12.

About Republic Services

Republic Services, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, offers environmental services in the United States and Canada. It is involved in the collection and processing of recyclable, solid waste, and industrial waste materials; transportation and disposal of non-hazardous and hazardous waste streams; and other environmental solutions.