Versor Investments LP Boosts Stock Position in Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS)

Versor Investments LP increased its stake in Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS - Free Report) by 182.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 5,702 shares of the technology company's stock after purchasing an additional 3,680 shares during the period. Versor Investments LP's holdings in Watts Water Technologies were worth $1,046,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. bought a new position in Watts Water Technologies during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $351,000. Truist Financial Corp bought a new position in Watts Water Technologies during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $832,000. Van ECK Associates Corp grew its position in Watts Water Technologies by 34.2% during the fourth quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 8,173 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $1,703,000 after acquiring an additional 2,085 shares during the last quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. grew its position in Watts Water Technologies by 61.2% during the fourth quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 54,472 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $11,347,000 after acquiring an additional 20,670 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Spire Wealth Management grew its position in Watts Water Technologies by 75.3% during the fourth quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 340 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $68,000 after acquiring an additional 146 shares during the last quarter. 95.02% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Watts Water Technologies news, insider Elie Melhem sold 1,710 shares of the firm's 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 transaction, the insider now directly owns 11,516 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,132,302.56. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other 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 transaction of $58,567.95. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 2,755 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $512,237.15. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Elie Melhem sold 1,710 shares of Watts Water Technologies 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 transaction, the insider now directly owns 11,516 shares in the company, valued at $2,132,302.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.10% of the company's stock.

Watts Water Technologies Stock Down 1.5 %

Shares of NYSE:WTS traded down $2.97 on Tuesday, hitting $193.73. 376,358 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 148,312. Watts Water Technologies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $167.87 and a 52 week high of $219.52. 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 stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $190.21 and a 200-day simple moving average of $198.12. The company has a market cap of $6.46 billion, a PE ratio of 23.99, a PEG ratio of 2.82 and a beta of 0.89.

Watts Water Technologies (NYSE:WTS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The technology company reported $2.46 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $589.55 million. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.34 EPS. Watts Water Technologies's revenue for the quarter was up 12.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts expect that Watts Water Technologies, Inc. will post 8.71 earnings per share for the current year.

Watts Water Technologies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 30th will be given a $0.43 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 30th. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.89%. Watts Water Technologies's payout ratio is 21.34%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research 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 dropped their price objective 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. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price objective on 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.

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.