Scotia Capital Inc. Buys 1,031 Shares of Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG)

Scotia Capital Inc. grew its holdings in Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG - Free Report) by 31.6% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 4,290 shares of the business services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 1,031 shares during the quarter. Scotia Capital Inc.'s holdings in Republic Services were worth $863,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of RSG. Arcadia Investment Management Corp MI boosted its holdings in Republic Services by 200.0% in the 4th quarter. Arcadia Investment Management Corp MI now owns 132 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 88 shares during the period. R Squared Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Republic Services in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $32,000. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC increased its stake in Republic Services by 70.2% during the 4th quarter. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC now owns 177 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 73 shares during the period. Generali Asset Management SPA SGR acquired a new position in Republic Services in the 4th quarter valued at $45,000. Finally, Bank of Jackson Hole Trust bought a new stake in shares of Republic Services during the 4th quarter valued at $48,000. 57.73% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada raised shares of Republic Services from a "sector perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $219.00 to $237.00 in a research report on Monday, January 6th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on shares of Republic Services from $239.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. Cibc World Mkts upgraded shares of Republic Services from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Republic Services from $220.00 to $230.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Friday, February 14th. Finally, Raymond James restated an "outperform" rating on shares of Republic Services in a research report on Wednesday. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $239.13.

Insider Buying and Selling at Republic Services

In related news, COO Gregg Brummer sold 6,293 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $228.20, for a total transaction of $1,436,062.60. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 10,416 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,376,931.20. This trade represents a 37.66 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 0.09% of the company's stock.

Republic Services Trading Down 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE:RSG traded down $0.51 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $243.11. 837,780 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,116,459. The firm has a market capitalization of $75.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.46, a PEG ratio of 3.64 and a beta of 0.62. Republic Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $180.92 and a twelve month high of $249.73. The business's fifty day moving average price is $235.09 and its 200-day moving average price is $217.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a current ratio of 0.58.

Republic Services (NYSE:RSG - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 13th. The business services provider reported $1.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.37 by $0.21. Republic Services had a return on equity of 18.28% and a net margin of 12.74%. The company had revenue of $4.05 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.08 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.41 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that Republic Services, Inc. will post 6.86 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Republic Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 2nd were paid a dividend of $0.58 per share. This represents a $2.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.95%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, April 2nd. Republic Services's dividend payout ratio is presently 35.75%.

About Republic Services

Republic Services, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, offers environmental services in the United States and Canada. It is involved in the collection and processing of recyclable, solid waste, and industrial waste materials; transportation and disposal of non-hazardous and hazardous waste streams; and other environmental solutions.