3,929 Shares in Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG) Purchased by Hickory Point Bank & Trust

Hickory Point Bank & Trust acquired a new position in Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 3,929 shares of the business services provider's stock, valued at approximately $790,000. Republic Services accounts for approximately 0.7% of Hickory Point Bank & Trust's portfolio, making the stock its 27th largest holding.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Metis Global Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Republic Services by 5.2% during the 4th quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 7,079 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $1,424,000 after purchasing an additional 349 shares during the period. Providence First Trust Co grew its position in Republic Services by 0.7% during the fourth quarter. Providence First Trust Co now owns 10,433 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $2,099,000 after buying an additional 74 shares during the period. Williamson Legacy Group LLC raised its position in Republic Services by 3.4% in the fourth quarter. Williamson Legacy Group LLC now owns 5,283 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $1,063,000 after acquiring an additional 175 shares during the period. Fisher Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Republic Services by 3.0% during the 4th quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 8,224 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $1,655,000 after acquiring an additional 238 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Terril Brothers Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Republic Services during the 4th quarter valued at $201,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.73% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the company. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on Republic Services from $235.00 to $244.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on Republic Services from $220.00 to $230.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 14th. BMO Capital Markets raised shares of Republic Services from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and increased their target price for the stock from $211.00 to $238.00 in a report on Friday, December 6th. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Republic Services from $212.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 19th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised shares of Republic Services from a "sector perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and upped their target price for the stock from $219.00 to $237.00 in a report on Monday, January 6th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $236.88.

Insider Activity at Republic Services

In other Republic Services news, COO Gregg Brummer sold 6,293 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $228.20, for a total value of $1,436,062.60. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 10,416 shares in the company, valued at $2,376,931.20. This trade represents a 37.66 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, 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 completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 879 shares in the company, valued at $189,222.33. This represents a 67.90 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Republic Services Price Performance

RSG stock traded down $0.29 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $235.66. 1,322,991 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,051,701. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $217.11 and a 200 day simple moving average of $210.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a current ratio of 0.58. The stock has a market capitalization of $73.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.31, a P/E/G ratio of 3.64 and a beta of 0.74. Republic Services, Inc. has a 52 week low of $180.91 and a 52 week high of $240.95.

Republic Services (NYSE:RSG - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 13th. The business services provider reported $1.58 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.37 by $0.21. The firm had revenue of $4.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.08 billion. Republic Services had a return on equity of 18.28% and a net margin of 12.74%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.41 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Republic Services, Inc. will post 6.86 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Republic Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.58 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 2nd. This represents a $2.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.98%. Republic Services's dividend payout ratio is presently 35.75%.

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.