Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS) Insider Sells $316,623.60 in Stock

Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS - Get Free Report) insider Elie Melhem sold 1,710 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $185.16, for a total value of $316,623.60. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 11,516 shares in the company, valued at $2,132,302.56. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website.

Watts Water Technologies Price Performance

NYSE:WTS traded up $0.50 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $185.86. 90,883 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 146,082. Watts Water Technologies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $167.87 and a 12 month high of $219.52. The stock has a market cap of $6.20 billion, a PE ratio of 23.06, a PEG ratio of 2.66 and a beta of 0.90. The company has a quick ratio of 1.49, a current ratio of 2.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16. The company has a fifty day moving average of $189.37 and a 200 day moving average of $198.93.

Watts Water Technologies (NYSE:WTS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The technology company reported $2.46 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.33 by $0.13. Watts Water Technologies had a net margin of 12.44% and a return on equity of 19.22%. The business had revenue of $597.30 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $589.55 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.34 earnings per share. Watts Water Technologies's revenue was up 12.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that Watts Water Technologies, Inc. will post 8.71 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Watts Water Technologies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 30th will be given a dividend of $0.43 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 30th. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.93%. Watts Water Technologies's payout ratio is currently 21.34%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Watts Water Technologies

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. QRG Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in Watts Water Technologies by 3.4% during the 4th quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 2,013 shares of the technology company's stock worth $419,000 after acquiring an additional 66 shares during the period. Park Avenue Securities LLC boosted its position in shares of Watts Water Technologies by 4.2% in the 1st quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC now owns 1,645 shares of the technology company's stock worth $350,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. Banco Santander S.A. grew its stake in shares of Watts Water Technologies by 1.2% during the second quarter. Banco Santander S.A. now owns 6,424 shares of the technology company's stock worth $1,178,000 after purchasing an additional 76 shares during the period. Fifth Third Bancorp increased its holdings in Watts Water Technologies by 30.0% in the second quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 338 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $62,000 after purchasing an additional 78 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Retirement Systems of Alabama lifted its stake in Watts Water Technologies by 0.3% in the fourth quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 34,277 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $7,141,000 after buying an additional 87 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.02% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Watts Water Technologies from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, August 16th. Robert W. Baird cut their target price on shares of Watts Water Technologies from $225.00 to $199.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on Watts Water Technologies from $217.00 to $202.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, August 9th.

Watts Water Technologies Company Profile

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.