Montanaro Asset Management Ltd Decreases Holdings in Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE:WMS)

Montanaro Asset Management Ltd trimmed its stake in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE:WMS - Free Report) by 6.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 83,400 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 5,800 shares during the period. Advanced Drainage Systems accounts for 2.3% of Montanaro Asset Management Ltd's portfolio, making the stock its 20th largest holding. Montanaro Asset Management Ltd owned approximately 0.11% of Advanced Drainage Systems worth $13,107,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of WMS. Swedbank AB purchased a new position in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems in the 1st quarter worth $220,853,000. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 5.8% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 7,265,169 shares of the construction company's stock worth $1,251,353,000 after buying an additional 395,099 shares in the last quarter. Boston Partners lifted its holdings in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 16.9% in the 1st quarter. Boston Partners now owns 1,519,118 shares of the construction company's stock worth $261,609,000 after acquiring an additional 219,629 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 136.2% in the 2nd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 312,393 shares of the construction company's stock worth $50,105,000 after acquiring an additional 180,154 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Lazard Freres Gestion S.A.S. bought a new stake in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems in the 2nd quarter worth about $28,870,000. 89.83% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Advanced Drainage Systems Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:WMS traded down $22.84 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $136.16. The company's stock had a trading volume of 2,277,675 shares, compared to its average volume of 345,906. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.56 billion, a PE ratio of 21.68, a P/E/G ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.53. Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. has a twelve month low of $110.38 and a twelve month high of $184.27. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $151.62 and a 200 day moving average of $159.76. The company has a quick ratio of 1.90, a current ratio of 2.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04.

Advanced Drainage Systems (NYSE:WMS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 8th. The construction company reported $1.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.93 by ($0.23). Advanced Drainage Systems had a return on equity of 43.60% and a net margin of 17.09%. The firm had revenue of $782.60 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $819.41 million. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.71 earnings per share. The business's quarterly revenue was up .3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts expect that Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. will post 6.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Advanced Drainage Systems Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.16 per share. This represents a $0.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.47%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 2nd. Advanced Drainage Systems's payout ratio is 10.19%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

WMS has been the subject of several analyst reports. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of Advanced Drainage Systems from $202.00 to $194.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, August 9th. Oppenheimer reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $192.00 price objective on shares of Advanced Drainage Systems in a report on Thursday, August 15th. Robert W. Baird decreased their price objective on shares of Advanced Drainage Systems from $200.00 to $187.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Friday, August 9th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Advanced Drainage Systems from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Finally, Loop Capital reduced their price target on shares of Advanced Drainage Systems from $188.00 to $180.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Monday, August 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $190.14.

Advanced Drainage Systems Profile

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc designs, manufactures, and markets thermoplastic corrugated pipes and related water management products in North America and internationally. The company operates through Pipe, International, Infiltrator, and Allied Products & Other segments. It offers single, double, and triple wall corrugated polypropylene and polyethylene pipes; plastic leachfield chambers and systems; EZflow synthetic aggregate bundles; wastewater purification through mechanical aeration wastewater for residential and commercial systems; septic tanks and accessories; combined treatment and dispersal systems, including advanced enviro-septic and advanced treatment leachfield systems; and allied products, including storm retention/detention and septic chambers, polyvinyl chloride drainage structures, fittings, and water quality filters and separators.