Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. Sells 24,128 Shares of Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS)

Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. decreased its stake in Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS - Free Report) by 17.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 113,045 shares of the technology company's stock after selling 24,128 shares during the period. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. owned 0.34% of Watts Water Technologies worth $20,729,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its stake in Watts Water Technologies by 2.9% in the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 10,030 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $1,839,000 after acquiring an additional 287 shares during the last quarter. Quest Partners LLC boosted its stake in Watts Water Technologies by 59.0% in the second quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 10,120 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $1,856,000 after acquiring an additional 3,756 shares during the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in Watts Water Technologies by 25.3% in the second quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 7,941 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $1,453,000 after acquiring an additional 1,601 shares during the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System boosted its stake in Watts Water Technologies by 1.8% in the second quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 7,656 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $1,404,000 after acquiring an additional 135 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers boosted its stake in Watts Water Technologies by 0.6% in the second quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 93,479 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $17,141,000 after acquiring an additional 560 shares during the last quarter. 95.02% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

WTS has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Watts Water Technologies from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, August 16th. Stifel Nicolaus dropped 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 note on Friday, August 9th. Finally, Robert W. Baird dropped their price target on shares of 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.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Watts Water Technologies news, insider Elie Melhem sold 1,710 shares of the 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 filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, Director Michael J. Dubose sold 315 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 owns 2,755 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $512,237.15. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, insider Elie Melhem sold 1,710 shares of the 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 transaction, the insider now directly owns 11,516 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,132,302.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 1.10% of the company's stock.

Watts Water Technologies Stock Performance

Shares of WTS stock traded up $2.07 during trading on Friday, reaching $194.51. 76,097 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 148,243. The company has a market capitalization of $6.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.24, a PEG ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 0.89. The company has a current ratio of 2.50, a quick ratio of 1.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16. The firm's 50-day moving average is $191.79 and its 200 day moving average is $197.78. Watts Water Technologies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $167.87 and a 1 year high of $219.52.

Watts Water Technologies (NYSE:WTS - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The technology company reported $2.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.33 by $0.13. Watts Water Technologies had a net margin of 12.44% and a return on equity of 19.22%. The business had revenue of $597.30 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $589.55 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.34 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 12.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Watts Water Technologies, Inc. will post 8.71 EPS 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 paid a $0.43 dividend. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.88%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 30th. Watts Water Technologies's dividend payout ratio is presently 21.34%.

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.