Barclays PLC Buys 15,938 Shares of Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS)

Barclays PLC grew its stake in Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS - Free Report) by 30.2% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 68,748 shares of the technology company's stock after buying an additional 15,938 shares during the quarter. Barclays PLC owned approximately 0.21% of Watts Water Technologies worth $13,976,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Arizona State Retirement System lifted its holdings in Watts Water Technologies by 0.7% during the fourth quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 7,950 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $1,616,000 after purchasing an additional 56 shares in the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. boosted its holdings in Watts Water Technologies by 59.8% in the 4th quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 155 shares of the technology company's stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 58 shares during the period. Andina Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Watts Water Technologies by 3.5% in the 4th quarter. Andina Capital Management LLC now owns 1,708 shares of the technology company's stock worth $347,000 after buying an additional 58 shares in the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Watts Water Technologies by 0.5% in the fourth quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 12,410 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $2,541,000 after acquiring an additional 58 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Empowered Funds LLC lifted its holdings in Watts Water Technologies by 3.8% in the 4th quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 1,652 shares of the technology company's stock worth $336,000 after purchasing an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 95.02% of the company's stock.

Watts Water Technologies Trading Up 0.1 %

NYSE WTS traded up $0.29 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $204.48. 216,228 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 168,593. Watts Water Technologies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $175.37 and a 52 week high of $232.60. The company has a quick ratio of 1.65, a current ratio of 2.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $205.56 and a 200 day moving average price of $206.97. The stock has a market cap of $6.81 billion, a PE ratio of 23.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 0.95.

Watts Water Technologies (NYSE:WTS - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, February 10th. The technology company reported $2.05 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.91 by $0.14. Watts Water Technologies had a return on equity of 18.08% and a net margin of 12.93%. Analysts forecast that Watts Water Technologies, Inc. will post 9.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Watts Water Technologies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 28th were issued a $0.43 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 28th. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.84%. Watts Water Technologies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 19.79%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Elie Melhem sold 4,397 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $210.53, for a total transaction of $925,700.41. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 10,469 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,204,038.57. This trade represents a 29.58 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 1.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently commented on WTS shares. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on shares of Watts Water Technologies from $197.00 to $217.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Stifel Nicolaus upgraded Watts Water Technologies from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $219.00 to $229.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 16th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Watts Water Technologies presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $222.00.

About Watts Water Technologies

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.