Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank Purchases 9,605 Shares of Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS)

Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank boosted its position in shares of Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS - Free Report) by 16.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 67,091 shares of the technology company's stock after acquiring an additional 9,605 shares during the quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank owned 0.20% of Watts Water Technologies worth $12,302,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in WTS. Rise Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Watts Water Technologies during the first quarter worth about $26,000. Gradient Investments LLC acquired a new stake in Watts Water Technologies during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. increased its position in Watts Water Technologies by 502.7% during the 1st quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 223 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 186 shares during the period. EntryPoint Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Watts Water Technologies during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $53,000. Finally, Principal Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Watts Water Technologies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $56,000. 95.02% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Robert W. Baird reduced their price target on shares of Watts Water Technologies from $225.00 to $199.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 9th. StockNews.com upgraded Watts Water Technologies from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, August 16th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price on Watts Water Technologies from $217.00 to $202.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 9th.

Watts Water Technologies Trading Up 0.5 %

WTS stock traded up $1.02 on Thursday, reaching $194.50. The company's stock had a trading volume of 158,713 shares, compared to its average volume of 147,096. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $189.65 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $198.35. Watts Water Technologies, Inc. has a 12-month low of $167.87 and a 12-month high of $219.52. The firm has a market cap of $6.49 billion, a PE ratio of 24.13, a PEG ratio of 2.77 and a beta of 0.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16, a quick ratio of 1.49 and a current ratio of 2.50.

Watts Water Technologies (NYSE:WTS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The technology company reported $2.46 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.33 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $597.30 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $589.55 million. Watts Water Technologies had a return on equity of 19.22% and a net margin of 12.44%. The firm's revenue was up 12.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.34 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts forecast that Watts Water Technologies, Inc. will post 8.71 EPS for the current year.

Watts Water Technologies Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.43 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 30th. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.88%. Watts Water Technologies's payout ratio is presently 21.34%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Michael J. Dubose sold 315 shares of Watts Water Technologies stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $185.93, for a total value of $58,567.95. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 2,755 shares in the company, valued at approximately $512,237.15. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In related news, insider Elie Melhem sold 1,710 shares of Watts Water Technologies stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 21st. The stock was 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 directly owns 11,516 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,132,302.56. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Michael J. Dubose sold 315 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $185.93, for a total value of $58,567.95. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 2,755 shares in the company, valued at $512,237.15. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 1.10% of the company's stock.

Watts Water Technologies 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.

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