Watsco (WSO) Expected to Announce Earnings on Tuesday

Watsco (NYSE:WSO - Get Free Report) is projected to release its earnings data before the market opens on Tuesday, February 18th. Analysts expect Watsco to post earnings of $2.13 per share and revenue of $1.67 billion for the quarter. Parties that wish to register for the company's conference call can do so using this link.

Watsco Stock Performance

Shares of Watsco stock traded up $8.71 on Friday, hitting $485.21. 429,674 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 219,222. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $485.44 and a 200-day simple moving average of $490.99. The stock has a market capitalization of $19.59 billion, a PE ratio of 37.50 and a beta of 0.95. Watsco has a 1 year low of $373.33 and a 1 year high of $571.41.

Watsco Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 17th were paid a dividend of $2.70 per share. This represents a $10.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.23%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 17th. Watsco's dividend payout ratio is presently 83.46%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Barry S. Logan sold 10,998 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 18th. The stock was 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 link. 12.86% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

About Watsco

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.