KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS acquired a new stake in shares of Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 5,600 shares of the technology company's stock, valued at approximately $1,138,000.
Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in Watts Water Technologies in the fourth quarter valued at about $23,044,000. Erste Asset Management GmbH purchased a new position in shares of Watts Water Technologies in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $10,792,000. Wealthfront Advisers LLC purchased a new position in shares of Watts Water Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $9,773,000. Boston Partners boosted its stake in Watts Water Technologies by 7.6% in the 4th quarter. Boston Partners now owns 632,155 shares of the technology company's stock worth $128,527,000 after purchasing an additional 44,465 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Retirement Systems of Alabama grew its position in Watts Water Technologies by 122.9% during the 4th quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 74,194 shares of the technology company's stock worth $15,084,000 after purchasing an additional 40,912 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.02% of the company's stock.
Watts Water Technologies Stock Performance
NYSE:WTS traded down $13.32 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $195.18. The company's stock had a trading volume of 199,916 shares, compared to its average volume of 162,803. The business's fifty day moving average is $210.95 and its two-hundred day moving average is $208.21. The stock has a market cap of $6.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.46, a PEG ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a current ratio of 2.59 and a quick ratio of 1.65. Watts Water Technologies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $175.37 and a 1 year high of $232.60.
Watts Water Technologies (NYSE:WTS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, February 10th. The technology company reported $2.05 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.91 by $0.14. Watts Water Technologies had a return on equity of 18.08% and a net margin of 12.93%. Analysts anticipate that Watts Water Technologies, Inc. will post 9.08 EPS for the current fiscal year.
Watts Water Technologies Dividend Announcement
The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 28th were issued a dividend of $0.43 per share. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.88%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 28th. Watts Water Technologies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 19.79%.
Insider Activity at Watts Water Technologies
In related news, insider Elie Melhem sold 4,397 shares of Watts Water Technologies stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $210.53, for a total value of $925,700.41. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 10,469 shares in the company, valued at $2,204,038.57. The trade was a 29.58 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 1.10% of the company's stock.
Analysts Set New Price Targets
Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on shares of Watts Water Technologies in a research note on Tuesday, December 17th. They set a "hold" rating and a $240.00 price objective for the company. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on Watts Water Technologies from $218.00 to $219.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on Watts Water Technologies from $197.00 to $217.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $220.00.
Get Our Latest Report on Watts Water Technologies
Watts Water Technologies Company Profile
(
Free Report)
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.
See Also

Before you consider Watts Water Technologies, you'll want to hear this.
MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Watts Water Technologies wasn't on the list.
While Watts Water Technologies currently has a Hold rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.
View The Five Stocks Here
With the proliferation of data centers and electric vehicles, the electric grid will only get more strained. Download this report to learn how energy stocks can play a role in your portfolio as the global demand for energy continues to grow.
Get This Free Report
Like this article? Share it with a colleague.
Link copied to clipboard.