Impax Asset Management Group plc Has $281.73 Million Holdings in Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS)

Impax Asset Management Group plc decreased its position in Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS - Free Report) by 2.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,539,720 shares of the technology company's stock after selling 44,097 shares during the quarter. Watts Water Technologies accounts for approximately 1.1% of Impax Asset Management Group plc's holdings, making the stock its 29th largest position. Impax Asset Management Group plc owned 4.61% of Watts Water Technologies worth $281,734,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Perpetual Ltd lifted its holdings in Watts Water Technologies by 9.5% in the first quarter. Perpetual Ltd now owns 46,721 shares of the technology company's stock worth $9,931,000 after acquiring an additional 4,068 shares during the last quarter. Seven Eight Capital LP bought a new position in Watts Water Technologies during the 1st quarter worth $1,366,000. Norden Group LLC increased its position in Watts Water Technologies by 1,826.3% in the first quarter. Norden Group LLC now owns 59,310 shares of the technology company's stock worth $12,606,000 after buying an additional 56,231 shares during the period. Congress Asset Management Co. MA acquired a new position in shares of Watts Water Technologies during the fourth quarter valued at $125,904,000. Finally, Banque Cantonale Vaudoise grew its position in shares of Watts Water Technologies by 1,968.3% during the first quarter. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise now owns 4,509 shares of the technology company's stock worth $958,000 after acquiring an additional 4,291 shares during the last quarter. 95.02% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity

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 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 in the company, valued at approximately $2,132,302.56. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing 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 firm's stock in a transaction 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 of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,132,302.56. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Michael J. Dubose sold 315 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $185.93, for a total value 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. Insiders own 1.10% of the company's stock.

Watts Water Technologies Price Performance

Shares of WTS stock traded down $1.02 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $189.18. 230,705 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 149,535. The company's 50 day moving average price is $190.77 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $197.99. The company has a market cap of $6.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.29, a PEG ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.89. Watts Water Technologies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $167.87 and a 12 month high of $219.52. 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 released its earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The technology company reported $2.46 earnings per share 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 firm had revenue of $597.30 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $589.55 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.34 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 12.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Watts Water Technologies, Inc. will post 8.71 earnings per share for the current year.

Watts Water Technologies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 30th will be issued a $0.43 dividend. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.91%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 30th. Watts Water Technologies's payout ratio is 21.34%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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