Watsco, Inc. (NYSE:WSO) Stock Holdings Lifted by Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd.

Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in Watsco, Inc. (NYSE:WSO - Free Report) by 8.8% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 24,908 shares of the construction company's stock after acquiring an additional 2,007 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. owned 0.06% of Watsco worth $11,850,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Rialto Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Watsco in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Wingate Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new position in Watsco during the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. Quarry LP grew its position in shares of Watsco by 57.9% in the 3rd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 90 shares of the construction company's stock worth $44,000 after acquiring an additional 33 shares in the last quarter. Atala Financial Inc bought a new stake in shares of Watsco in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $49,000. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Watsco during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $50,000. 89.71% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Watsco Stock Down 3.0 %

Watsco stock traded down $14.74 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $477.78. The company's stock had a trading volume of 399,342 shares, compared to its average volume of 253,380. Watsco, Inc. has a twelve month low of $396.82 and a twelve month high of $571.42. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $496.34 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $499.34. The stock has a market capitalization of $19.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.06 and a beta of 1.00.

Watsco (NYSE:WSO - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 18th. The construction company reported $2.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.13 by $0.24. Watsco had a return on equity of 17.59% and a net margin of 7.04%. The company had revenue of $1.75 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.67 billion. Equities analysts expect that Watsco, Inc. will post 14.62 earnings per share for the current year.

Watsco Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 15th will be issued a $3.00 dividend. This represents a $12.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.51%. This is a boost from Watsco's previous quarterly dividend of $2.70. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, April 15th. Watsco's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 81.51%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have commented on WSO. Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on shares of Watsco from $540.00 to $560.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 19th. Loop Capital lifted their price target on shares of Watsco from $450.00 to $460.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, Raymond James assumed coverage on shares of Watsco in a research note on Friday, January 17th. They set a "market perform" rating on the stock. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Watsco has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $486.25.

Watsco Company Profile

Watsco, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the distribution of air conditioning, heating, refrigeration equipment, and related parts and supplies in the United States and internationally. The company distributes equipment, including residential ducted and ductless air conditioners, such as gas, electric, and oil furnaces; commercial air conditioning and heating equipment systems; and other specialized equipment.