Vantage Investment Partners LLC Lowers Stock Holdings in Watsco, Inc. (NYSE:WSO)

Vantage Investment Partners LLC cut its position in Watsco, Inc. (NYSE:WSO - Free Report) by 2.9% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 26,205 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 794 shares during the period. Vantage Investment Partners LLC owned 0.06% of Watsco worth $12,418,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Toronto Dominion Bank grew its stake in Watsco by 32.2% in the third quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 4,258 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $2,094,000 after acquiring an additional 1,038 shares during the period. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI grew its position in Watsco by 40.6% in the 3rd quarter. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI now owns 3,217 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $1,582,000 after purchasing an additional 929 shares during the period. Larson Financial Group LLC increased its stake in Watsco by 3,571.0% during the 3rd quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 1,138 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $560,000 after purchasing an additional 1,107 shares in the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Watsco by 1.7% during the third quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 64,758 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $31,853,000 after buying an additional 1,074 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. increased its position in shares of Watsco by 5.6% during the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 51,590 shares of the construction company's stock worth $25,645,000 after acquiring an additional 2,738 shares in the last quarter. 89.71% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling at Watsco

In other Watsco news, EVP Barry S. Logan sold 10,998 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $508.21, for a total value of $5,589,293.58. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 12.86% of the company's stock.

Watsco Stock Performance

NYSE:WSO traded down $2.66 on Tuesday, hitting $486.89. The stock had a trading volume of 86,484 shares, compared to its average volume of 216,986. Watsco, Inc. has a 1 year low of $373.33 and a 1 year high of $571.41. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $504.55 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $493.16. The stock has a market cap of $19.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.63 and a beta of 0.95.

Watsco Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 17th will be given a $2.70 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 17th. This represents a $10.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.22%. Watsco's dividend payout ratio is currently 83.46%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently weighed in on WSO. Robert W. Baird dropped their price target on shares of Watsco from $550.00 to $540.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 24th. Northcoast Research assumed coverage on Watsco in a research report on Friday, November 22nd. They set a "neutral" rating on the stock. Finally, Raymond James assumed coverage on Watsco in a research report on Friday, January 17th. They issued a "market perform" rating for the company. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $488.33.

Watsco Company Profile

Watsco, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the distribution of air conditioning, heating, refrigeration equipment, and related parts and supplies in the United States and internationally. The company distributes equipment, including residential ducted and ductless air conditioners, such as gas, electric, and oil furnaces; commercial air conditioning and heating equipment systems; and other specialized equipment.