Thematics Asset Management Decreases Stock Position in Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE:WMS)

Thematics Asset Management lessened its position in Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE:WMS - Free Report) by 6.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 87,500 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 6,000 shares during the quarter. Thematics Asset Management owned 0.11% of Advanced Drainage Systems worth $10,115,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its position in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 12.7% during the fourth quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 781 shares of the construction company's stock worth $90,000 after purchasing an additional 88 shares during the last quarter. Spire Wealth Management purchased a new position in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems during the fourth quarter worth approximately $94,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 18.3% during the fourth quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 884 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $102,000 after acquiring an additional 137 shares in the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. grew its stake in Advanced Drainage Systems by 12.0% in the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,005 shares of the construction company's stock worth $116,000 after purchasing an additional 108 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC increased its holdings in Advanced Drainage Systems by 1,298.6% during the 4th quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC now owns 1,021 shares of the construction company's stock worth $118,000 after purchasing an additional 948 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.83% of the company's stock.

Advanced Drainage Systems Price Performance

Shares of Advanced Drainage Systems stock traded up $1.21 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $105.93. The stock had a trading volume of 395,760 shares, compared to its average volume of 573,668. The company has a current ratio of 3.21, a quick ratio of 1.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93. Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. has a twelve month low of $93.92 and a twelve month high of $184.27. The stock's 50 day moving average is $109.32 and its 200 day moving average is $123.91. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.22 billion, a PE ratio of 17.71, a PEG ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 1.48.

Advanced Drainage Systems (NYSE:WMS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The construction company reported $1.09 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.34 by ($0.25). Advanced Drainage Systems had a return on equity of 35.79% and a net margin of 15.90%. Equities analysts expect that Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. will post 6.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Advanced Drainage Systems Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th were given a $0.16 dividend. This represents a $0.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.60%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 28th. Advanced Drainage Systems's dividend payout ratio is presently 10.70%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have commented on WMS. Loop Capital cut their target price on shares of Advanced Drainage Systems from $170.00 to $160.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Barclays cut their target price on Advanced Drainage Systems from $149.00 to $130.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 8th. Stephens reaffirmed an "equal weight" rating and issued a $135.00 price objective on shares of Advanced Drainage Systems in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on shares of Advanced Drainage Systems in a report on Tuesday, April 1st. They issued a "buy" rating and a $134.00 price target on the stock. Finally, UBS Group upgraded Advanced Drainage Systems from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $155.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Advanced Drainage Systems currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $153.78.

Advanced Drainage Systems Company Profile

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc designs, manufactures, and markets thermoplastic corrugated pipes and related water management products in North America and internationally. The company operates through Pipe, International, Infiltrator, and Allied Products & Other segments. It offers single, double, and triple wall corrugated polypropylene and polyethylene pipes; plastic leachfield chambers and systems; EZflow synthetic aggregate bundles; wastewater purification through mechanical aeration wastewater for residential and commercial systems; septic tanks and accessories; combined treatment and dispersal systems, including advanced enviro-septic and advanced treatment leachfield systems; and allied products, including storm retention/detention and septic chambers, polyvinyl chloride drainage structures, fittings, and water quality filters and separators.