Virtu Financial LLC Sells 1,350 Shares of Watsco, Inc. (NYSE:WSO)

Virtu Financial LLC trimmed its position in shares of Watsco, Inc. (NYSE:WSO - Free Report) by 59.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 939 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 1,350 shares during the period. Virtu Financial LLC's holdings in Watsco were worth $462,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. FMR LLC grew its position in Watsco by 10.6% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,624,159 shares of the construction company's stock worth $1,782,651,000 after acquiring an additional 346,470 shares in the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Watsco by 48,984.7% during the 3rd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 233,643 shares of the construction company's stock worth $114,924,000 after purchasing an additional 233,167 shares during the period. Benjamin Edwards Inc. grew its holdings in Watsco by 2,128.1% during the 3rd quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 107,463 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $52,880,000 after purchasing an additional 102,640 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its stake in Watsco by 5.9% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,173,762 shares of the construction company's stock worth $577,350,000 after purchasing an additional 65,846 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Watsco by 9.9% in the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 704,330 shares of the construction company's stock worth $345,783,000 after purchasing an additional 63,254 shares during the last quarter. 89.71% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have issued reports on WSO shares. Northcoast Research started coverage on Watsco in a research report on Friday, November 22nd. They set a "neutral" rating for the company. Robert W. Baird dropped their price objective on Watsco from $550.00 to $540.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 24th.

Watsco Price Performance

WSO stock traded down $0.46 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $509.26. The company had a trading volume of 190,133 shares, compared to its average volume of 275,849. The company has a market capitalization of $20.56 billion, a PE ratio of 39.47 and a beta of 0.92. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $512.83 and a 200 day moving average of $491.04. Watsco, Inc. has a 12 month low of $373.33 and a 12 month high of $571.41.

Watsco (NYSE:WSO - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 23rd. The construction company reported $4.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.73 by ($0.51). The firm had revenue of $2.16 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.24 billion. Watsco had a return on equity of 17.77% and a net margin of 6.99%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 1.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $4.35 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Watsco, Inc. will post 13.06 EPS for the current year.

Watsco Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 31st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, October 16th were paid a dividend of $2.70 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, October 16th. This represents a $10.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.12%. Watsco's dividend payout ratio is currently 83.46%.

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.