Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS) Shares Bought by Birch Hill Investment Advisors LLC

Birch Hill Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS - Free Report) by 9.2% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 145,242 shares of the technology company's stock after acquiring an additional 12,285 shares during the period. Watts Water Technologies makes up about 1.3% of Birch Hill Investment Advisors LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 28th largest holding. Birch Hill Investment Advisors LLC owned approximately 0.44% of Watts Water Technologies worth $26,633,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of WTS. Rise Advisors LLC bought a new position in Watts Water Technologies during the first quarter worth $26,000. Gradient Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Watts Water Technologies during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. raised its stake in Watts Water Technologies by 502.7% in the 1st quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 223 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $47,000 after acquiring an additional 186 shares during the period. EntryPoint Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Watts Water Technologies during the first quarter worth $53,000. Finally, Principal Securities Inc. bought a new position in Watts Water Technologies in the 4th quarter worth about $56,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.02% of the company's stock.

Watts Water Technologies Trading Up 1.4 %

Shares of WTS traded up $2.62 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $196.70. 123,307 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 146,954. The stock's 50-day moving average is $190.04 and its two-hundred day moving average is $198.18. The stock has a market cap of $6.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.40, a P/E/G ratio of 2.77 and a beta of 0.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16, a current ratio of 2.50 and a quick ratio of 1.49. Watts Water Technologies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $167.87 and a 12 month high of $219.52.

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

Watts Water Technologies Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 13th. Investors of record on Friday, August 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.43 per share. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.87%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 30th. Watts Water Technologies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 21.34%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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

Insider Buying and Selling at Watts Water Technologies

In related news, insider Elie Melhem sold 1,710 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $185.16, for a total transaction of $316,623.60. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 11,516 shares in the company, valued at $2,132,302.56. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, insider Elie Melhem sold 1,710 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred 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 sale, the insider now directly owns 11,516 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,132,302.56. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Michael J. Dubose sold 315 shares of the 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 transaction, the director now directly owns 2,755 shares in the company, valued at approximately $512,237.15. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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.