113,348 Shares in Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS) Acquired by Raymond James Financial Inc.

Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 113,348 shares of the technology company's stock, valued at approximately $23,044,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. owned about 0.34% of Watts Water Technologies as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in WTS. Arizona State Retirement System grew its position in shares of Watts Water Technologies by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 7,950 shares of the technology company's stock worth $1,616,000 after buying an additional 56 shares during the period. UMB Bank n.a. grew its holdings in Watts Water Technologies by 59.8% during the 4th quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 155 shares of the technology company's stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 58 shares during the period. Andina Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Watts Water Technologies by 3.5% in the 4th quarter. Andina Capital Management LLC now owns 1,708 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $347,000 after purchasing an additional 58 shares during the period. Cerity Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of Watts Water Technologies by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 12,410 shares of the technology company's stock worth $2,541,000 after purchasing an additional 58 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Empowered Funds LLC boosted its position in shares of Watts Water Technologies by 3.8% in the 4th quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 1,652 shares of the technology company's stock worth $336,000 after purchasing an additional 60 shares during the last quarter. 95.02% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on WTS shares. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on Watts Water Technologies from $197.00 to $217.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Stifel Nicolaus upgraded shares of Watts Water Technologies from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $219.00 to $229.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $222.00.

Insider Activity at Watts Water Technologies

In other news, insider Elie Melhem sold 4,397 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $210.53, for a total value of $925,700.41. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 10,469 shares in the company, valued at $2,204,038.57. This trade represents a 29.58 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 1.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Watts Water Technologies Stock Up 1.6 %

Shares of WTS stock traded up $3.29 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $207.89. 75,384 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 168,524. The company has a market capitalization of $6.93 billion, a PE ratio of 23.90, a PEG ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 0.95. Watts Water Technologies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $175.37 and a 52 week high of $232.60. The business has a 50 day moving average of $205.37 and a two-hundred day moving average of $206.95. The company has a current ratio of 2.59, a quick ratio of 1.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12.

Watts Water Technologies (NYSE:WTS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 10th. The technology company reported $2.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.91 by $0.14. Watts Water Technologies had a return on equity of 18.08% and a net margin of 12.93%. Analysts anticipate that Watts Water Technologies, Inc. will post 9.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Watts Water Technologies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 28th were given a $0.43 dividend. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.83%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 28th. Watts Water Technologies's dividend payout ratio is presently 19.79%.

Watts Water Technologies Company 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.