Mirova US LLC Raises Stock Position in Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS)

Mirova US LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS - Free Report) by 2.2% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 715,674 shares of the technology company's stock after buying an additional 15,462 shares during the quarter. Watts Water Technologies makes up approximately 1.6% of Mirova US LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 23rd largest position. Mirova US LLC owned approximately 2.14% of Watts Water Technologies worth $131,233,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Congress Asset Management Co. MA bought a new stake in shares of Watts Water Technologies during the 4th quarter worth about $125,904,000. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Watts Water Technologies during the fourth quarter worth approximately $61,513,000. Congress Wealth Management LLC DE acquired a new position in shares of Watts Water Technologies in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $13,284,000. Natixis increased its stake in shares of Watts Water Technologies by 20,322.5% during the first quarter. Natixis now owns 61,676 shares of the technology company's stock worth $13,109,000 after purchasing an additional 61,374 shares during the period. Finally, Norden Group LLC lifted its holdings in Watts Water Technologies by 1,826.3% during the 1st quarter. Norden Group LLC now owns 59,310 shares of the technology company's stock worth $12,606,000 after purchasing an additional 56,231 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 95.02% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Watts Water Technologies news, Director Michael J. Dubose sold 315 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $185.93, for a total transaction 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 sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, insider Elie Melhem sold 1,710 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 transaction, the insider now owns 11,516 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,132,302.56. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Michael J. Dubose sold 315 shares of Watts Water Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $185.93, for a total transaction of $58,567.95. Following the sale, 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. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Watts Water Technologies Price Performance

Watts Water Technologies stock traded up $2.62 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $196.70. 123,307 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 173,792. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $190.04 and a 200-day simple moving average of $198.17. The firm has a market cap of $6.56 billion, a PE ratio of 24.40, a PEG ratio of 2.82 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 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. Watts Water Technologies had a return on equity of 19.22% and a net margin of 12.44%. The company had revenue of $597.30 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $589.55 million. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.34 earnings per share. Watts Water Technologies's revenue was up 12.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Watts Water Technologies, Inc. will post 8.71 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Watts Water Technologies Announces Dividend

The company 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. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.87%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 30th. Watts Water Technologies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 21.34%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have commented on WTS. StockNews.com raised Watts Water Technologies from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, August 16th. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on shares of 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. Finally, Robert W. Baird dropped their price objective 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.

About Watts Water Technologies

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.