Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE:WMS) Shares Sold by Natixis

Natixis lessened its stake in Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE:WMS - Free Report) by 14.8% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 81,942 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 14,192 shares during the quarter. Natixis owned approximately 0.11% of Advanced Drainage Systems worth $9,472,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. raised its stake in Advanced Drainage Systems by 50.4% during the fourth quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 96,764 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $11,186,000 after buying an additional 32,418 shares in the last quarter. KBC Group NV increased its holdings in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 21.2% in the 4th quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 738,749 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $85,399,000 after acquiring an additional 129,252 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 5.6% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 593,562 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $68,616,000 after acquiring an additional 31,510 shares in the last quarter. D.B. Root & Company LLC lifted its stake in Advanced Drainage Systems by 64.9% during the fourth quarter. D.B. Root & Company LLC now owns 5,658 shares of the construction company's stock worth $654,000 after purchasing an additional 2,227 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC boosted its holdings in Advanced Drainage Systems by 14.0% in the fourth quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 163,910 shares of the construction company's stock worth $18,948,000 after purchasing an additional 20,146 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 89.83% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on WMS shares. Loop Capital reduced their price target on shares of Advanced Drainage Systems from $170.00 to $160.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Barclays decreased their target price on Advanced Drainage Systems from $149.00 to $130.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 8th. KeyCorp lowered their target price on Advanced Drainage Systems from $180.00 to $135.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on Advanced Drainage Systems in a report on Tuesday, April 1st. They issued a "buy" rating and a $134.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Stephens restated an "equal weight" rating and set a $135.00 price objective on shares of Advanced Drainage Systems in a research note on Friday, February 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $153.78.

Advanced Drainage Systems Stock Performance

Advanced Drainage Systems stock traded up $5.32 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $111.26. 477,012 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 574,429. The company has a quick ratio of 1.98, a current ratio of 3.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93. Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. has a one year low of $93.92 and a one year high of $184.27. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $109.01 and a 200 day moving average price of $123.61. The company has a market cap of $8.63 billion, a PE ratio of 18.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 1.48.

Advanced Drainage Systems (NYSE:WMS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The construction company reported $1.09 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.34 by ($0.25). Advanced Drainage Systems had a return on equity of 35.79% and a net margin of 15.90%. On average, equities analysts forecast that Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. will post 6.1 EPS for the current year.

Advanced Drainage Systems Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 14th. Investors of record on Friday, February 28th were paid a dividend of $0.16 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 28th. This represents a $0.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.58%. Advanced Drainage Systems's dividend payout ratio is presently 10.70%.

Advanced Drainage Systems Company 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.