Van ECK Associates Corp Buys 4,967 Shares of Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS)

Van ECK Associates Corp lifted its stake in shares of Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS - Free Report) by 40.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 17,382 shares of the technology company's stock after acquiring an additional 4,967 shares during the quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp owned about 0.05% of Watts Water Technologies worth $3,484,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. US Bancorp DE grew its position in shares of Watts Water Technologies by 1.2% in the third quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 9,903 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $2,052,000 after purchasing an additional 122 shares during the last quarter. Andina Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Watts Water Technologies by 3.3% in the 3rd quarter. Andina Capital Management LLC now owns 1,650 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $342,000 after buying an additional 52 shares during the last quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue increased its position in Watts Water Technologies by 7.3% in the 3rd quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 3,172 shares of the technology company's stock worth $657,000 after buying an additional 215 shares during the period. Boston Trust Walden Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Watts Water Technologies by 60.3% during the third quarter. Boston Trust Walden Corp now owns 520,189 shares of the technology company's stock worth $107,778,000 after buying an additional 195,778 shares during the last quarter. Finally, E. Ohman J or Asset Management AB boosted its position in shares of Watts Water Technologies by 7.1% in the third quarter. E. Ohman J or Asset Management AB now owns 12,097 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $2,506,000 after acquiring an additional 800 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.02% of the company's stock.

Watts Water Technologies Price Performance

Shares of WTS stock traded up $1.21 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $208.45. The company had a trading volume of 109,830 shares, compared to its average volume of 137,019. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 1.55 and a current ratio of 2.55. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.99, a PEG ratio of 2.98 and a beta of 0.90. Watts Water Technologies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $175.37 and a 12 month high of $219.52. The firm's fifty day moving average is $201.10 and its 200 day moving average is $197.25.

Watts Water Technologies (NYSE:WTS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 30th. The technology company reported $2.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.99 by $0.04. Watts Water Technologies had a return on equity of 18.49% and a net margin of 12.37%. The firm had revenue of $543.60 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $541.83 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.04 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Watts Water Technologies, Inc. will post 8.74 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Watts Water Technologies Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 29th will be paid 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 of this dividend is Friday, November 29th. Watts Water Technologies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 20.62%.

Insider Transactions at Watts Water Technologies

In other news, insider Elie Melhem sold 1,710 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $185.16, for a total value of $316,623.60. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 11,516 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,132,302.56. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In related news, insider Elie Melhem sold 1,710 shares of the firm's 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 completion of the sale, the insider now owns 11,516 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,132,302.56. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Michael J. Dubose sold 315 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $185.93, for a total value of $58,567.95. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 2,755 shares in the company, valued at approximately $512,237.15. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 34,999 shares of company stock valued at $7,299,786 in the last three months. 1.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently commented on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on shares of Watts Water Technologies from $217.00 to $202.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Northcoast Research raised Watts Water Technologies from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $225.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 4th. StockNews.com raised Watts Water Technologies from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, August 16th. Finally, Robert W. Baird decreased their price objective on Watts Water Technologies from $225.00 to $199.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 9th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Watts Water Technologies presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $200.25.

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.