Hsbc Holdings PLC Increases Holdings in Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG)

Hsbc Holdings PLC grew its position in Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG - Free Report) by 5.0% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 579,379 shares of the business services provider's stock after buying an additional 27,453 shares during the period. Hsbc Holdings PLC owned approximately 0.19% of Republic Services worth $116,456,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. increased its position in shares of Republic Services by 37.5% during the fourth quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 17,682 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $3,586,000 after acquiring an additional 4,827 shares in the last quarter. DnB Asset Management AS increased its holdings in Republic Services by 65.1% during the 4th quarter. DnB Asset Management AS now owns 72,931 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $14,672,000 after purchasing an additional 28,764 shares in the last quarter. Avanza Fonder AB bought a new stake in shares of Republic Services in the fourth quarter valued at about $4,430,000. Czech National Bank boosted its position in shares of Republic Services by 6.1% during the fourth quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 44,134 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $8,879,000 after buying an additional 2,548 shares during the period. Finally, Hickory Point Bank & Trust acquired a new stake in Republic Services in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $790,000. Institutional investors own 57.73% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating on shares of Republic Services in a report on Friday. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on shares of Republic Services from $235.00 to $244.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on Republic Services from $260.00 to $268.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday. Raymond James reiterated an "outperform" rating on shares of Republic Services in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on Republic Services from $240.00 to $257.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $245.38.

Republic Services Trading Up 1.3 %

Shares of Republic Services stock traded up $3.20 on Friday, hitting $243.96. 1,947,545 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,116,214. The company has a market capitalization of $76.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.64 and a beta of 0.62. Republic Services, Inc. has a one year low of $180.92 and a one year high of $249.73. The company has a fifty day moving average of $236.86 and a two-hundred day moving average of $219.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 0.58 and a quick ratio of 0.64.

Republic Services (NYSE:RSG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 24th. The business services provider reported $1.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.55 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $4.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.08 billion. Republic Services had a net margin of 12.74% and a return on equity of 18.28%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Republic Services, Inc. will post 6.86 earnings per share for the current year.

Republic Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, July 2nd will be issued a $0.58 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 2nd. This represents a $2.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.95%. Republic Services's dividend payout ratio is presently 34.99%.

Insider Activity at Republic Services

In other news, COO Gregg Brummer sold 6,293 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction, 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 Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.11% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.