Janus Henderson Group PLC Raises Stake in Willis Towers Watson Public Limited (NASDAQ:WTW)

Janus Henderson Group PLC grew its holdings in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public Limited (NASDAQ:WTW - Free Report) by 18.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 13,511 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 2,100 shares during the quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC's holdings in Willis Towers Watson Public were worth $3,978,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Cetera Investment Advisers acquired a new stake in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public in the first quarter valued at approximately $1,950,000. Cetera Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public during the 1st quarter valued at about $211,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public by 4.1% in the second quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,189 shares of the company's stock valued at $312,000 after purchasing an additional 47 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public by 15.2% in the second quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 4,000 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,049,000 after purchasing an additional 527 shares during the period. Finally, ORG Partners LLC purchased a new position in Willis Towers Watson Public during the second quarter worth about $288,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.09% of the company's stock.

Willis Towers Watson Public Stock Performance

NASDAQ WTW traded up $2.19 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $309.84. 601,900 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 507,019. Willis Towers Watson Public Limited has a 12-month low of $234.01 and a 12-month high of $334.99. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $305.72 and a 200 day moving average of $285.05. The company has a market cap of $31.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -42.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a quick ratio of 1.72, a current ratio of 1.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70.

Willis Towers Watson Public (NASDAQ:WTW - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 31st. The company reported $2.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.68 by $0.25. The business had revenue of $2.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.28 billion. Willis Towers Watson Public had a negative net margin of 7.36% and a positive return on equity of 18.57%. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 5.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.24 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Willis Towers Watson Public Limited will post 16.75 earnings per share for the current year.

Willis Towers Watson Public Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.88 per share. This represents a $3.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.14%. Willis Towers Watson Public's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -48.35%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have weighed in on WTW shares. Truist Financial reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $380.00 target price (up previously from $365.00) on shares of Willis Towers Watson Public in a research note on Wednesday, December 4th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Willis Towers Watson Public from $278.00 to $302.00 and gave the company an "underweight" rating in a report on Thursday, November 21st. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on Willis Towers Watson Public from $295.00 to $314.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th. Roth Mkm lifted their price objective on Willis Towers Watson Public from $315.00 to $345.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 2nd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Willis Towers Watson Public from $334.00 to $340.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, November 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $321.80.

Willis Towers Watson Public Profile

Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company operates as an advisory, broking, and solutions company worldwide. It operates through two segments: Health, Wealth & Career and Risk & Broking. The company offers strategy and design consulting, plan management service and support, broking and administration services for health, wellbeing, and other group benefit program, including medical, dental, disability, life, voluntary benefits and other coverages; actuarial support, plan design, and administrative services for pension and retirement savings plans; retirement consulting services and solutions; and integrated solutions that consists of investment discretionary management, pension administration, core actuarial, and communication and change management assistance services.