BMO Capital Markets Raises Republic Services (NYSE:RSG) Price Target to $268.00

Republic Services (NYSE:RSG - Get Free Report) had its price target increased by analysts at BMO Capital Markets from $260.00 to $268.00 in a report issued on Friday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an "outperform" rating on the business services provider's stock. BMO Capital Markets' price objective would suggest a potential upside of 9.85% from the stock's previous close.

Several other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on RSG. Cibc World Mkts raised Republic Services from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. Argus set a $260.00 target price on Republic Services in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on shares of Republic Services from $239.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 18th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on Republic Services from $235.00 to $244.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price objective on Republic Services from $240.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, April 11th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Republic Services currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $245.38.

Republic Services Stock Up 1.3 %

Shares of NYSE RSG traded up $3.20 on Friday, reaching $243.96. 1,947,545 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,116,214. The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04. The company has a market cap of $76.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.64 and a beta of 0.62. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $236.86 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $219.68. Republic Services has a 12 month low of $180.92 and a 12 month high of $249.73.

Republic Services (NYSE:RSG - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The business services provider reported $1.58 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.55 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $4.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.08 billion. Republic Services had a return on equity of 18.28% and a net margin of 12.74%. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Republic Services will post 6.86 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, COO Gregg Brummer sold 6,293 shares of the company'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 sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 10,416 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,376,931.20. This represents a 37.66 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.11% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Republic Services

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Golden State Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Republic Services by 3,533.3% during the first quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 109 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 106 shares during the last quarter. Arcadia Investment Management Corp MI lifted its position in Republic Services by 200.0% in the fourth quarter. Arcadia Investment Management Corp MI now owns 132 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 88 shares during the last quarter. R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in Republic Services during the fourth quarter worth $32,000. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Republic Services by 70.2% in the fourth quarter. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC now owns 177 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 73 shares during the period. Finally, Park Square Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Republic Services in the 4th quarter worth about $44,000. 57.73% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.