Willis Towers Watson Public (NASDAQ:WTW) Reaches New 1-Year High - What's Next?

Willis Towers Watson Public Limited (NASDAQ:WTW - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $303.50 and last traded at $303.50, with a volume of 1780 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $293.54.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. UBS Group raised shares of Willis Towers Watson Public to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. Roth Mkm increased their price target on shares of Willis Towers Watson Public from $315.00 to $345.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Barclays started coverage on shares of Willis Towers Watson Public in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. They set an "underweight" rating and a $278.00 price objective for the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their target price on Willis Towers Watson Public from $320.00 to $323.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on Willis Towers Watson Public from $295.00 to $314.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 9th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $309.47.

Willis Towers Watson Public Price Performance

The stock has a market cap of $30.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.09, a P/E/G ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 0.74. The company's 50 day moving average price is $291.26 and its 200-day moving average price is $272.67. The company has a quick ratio of 1.94, a current ratio of 1.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56.

Willis Towers Watson Public Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 30th were issued a dividend of $0.88 per share. This represents a $3.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.16%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, September 30th. Willis Towers Watson Public's payout ratio is presently 33.68%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Willis Towers Watson Public

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Richardson Financial Services Inc. acquired a new stake in Willis Towers Watson Public during the 1st quarter worth about $28,000. American National Bank acquired a new stake in Willis Towers Watson Public during the second quarter worth approximately $36,000. Beacon Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Willis Towers Watson Public by 136.5% in the first quarter. Beacon Capital Management LLC now owns 175 shares of the company's stock worth $48,000 after purchasing an additional 101 shares in the last quarter. New Millennium Group LLC acquired a new position in Willis Towers Watson Public in the second quarter valued at approximately $54,000. Finally, LRI Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public during the 1st quarter worth approximately $58,000. 93.09% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Willis Towers Watson Public

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.