Quest Partners LLC Has $1.86 Million Position in Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS)

Quest Partners LLC increased its stake in Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS - Free Report) by 59.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 10,120 shares of the technology company's stock after acquiring an additional 3,756 shares during the period. Quest Partners LLC's holdings in Watts Water Technologies were worth $1,856,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of WTS. Congress Asset Management Co. MA acquired a new stake in Watts Water Technologies in the fourth quarter valued at $125,904,000. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Watts Water Technologies during the fourth quarter worth about $61,513,000. Congress Wealth Management LLC DE acquired a new stake in shares of Watts Water Technologies during the fourth quarter worth about $13,284,000. Natixis increased its position 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 in the last quarter. Finally, Norden Group LLC increased its position in shares of Watts Water Technologies by 1,826.3% during the first 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 in the last quarter. 95.02% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Watts Water Technologies Price Performance

Shares of WTS stock traded up $1.88 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $190.94. 125,269 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 149,395. Watts Water Technologies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $167.87 and a 12 month high of $219.52. The company has a market cap of $6.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.74, a PEG ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.89. The company's 50 day moving average price is $190.89 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $197.95. 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 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 for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate 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% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.34 EPS. 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 company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 30th will be given a $0.43 dividend. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.90%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 30th. Watts Water Technologies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 21.34%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently commented on WTS shares. Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on 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. Robert W. Baird decreased their price target 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. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Watts Water Technologies from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, August 16th.

Insider Transactions at Watts Water Technologies

In other news, 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 value of $58,567.95. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 2,755 shares of the company's stock, valued at $512,237.15. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Michael J. Dubose sold 315 shares of the firm'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 sale, the director now directly owns 2,755 shares in the company, valued at $512,237.15. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Elie Melhem sold 1,710 shares of the firm'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 sale, the insider now owns 11,516 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,132,302.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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.