Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS) Shares Sold by UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC

UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS - Free Report) by 12.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 81,466 shares of the technology company's stock after selling 11,413 shares during the period. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC owned 0.24% of Watts Water Technologies worth $16,879,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. HWG Holdings LP purchased a new position in Watts Water Technologies during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC purchased a new position in Watts Water Technologies during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Gradient Investments LLC purchased a new position in Watts Water Technologies during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Blue Trust Inc. grew its stake in Watts Water Technologies by 520.5% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 273 shares of the technology company's stock worth $50,000 after buying an additional 229 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fifth Third Bancorp grew its stake in Watts Water Technologies by 30.0% during the 2nd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 338 shares of the technology company's stock worth $62,000 after buying an additional 78 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.02% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In other Watts Water Technologies news, insider Monica Barry sold 1,559 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $212.52, for a total transaction of $331,318.68. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 4,430 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $941,463.60. The trade was a 26.03 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Robert J. Pagano, Jr. sold 20,810 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $212.20, for a total value of $4,415,882.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 176,045 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $37,356,749. This trade represents a 10.57 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 32,974 shares of company stock valued at $6,924,594 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 1.10% of the company's stock.

Watts Water Technologies Price Performance

Shares of NYSE WTS traded down $0.27 during trading on Friday, reaching $215.17. The company had a trading volume of 142,781 shares, compared to its average volume of 127,361. Watts Water Technologies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $175.37 and a twelve month high of $221.19. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.17 billion, a PE ratio of 25.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.09 and a beta of 0.92. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $207.02 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $197.79. The company has a current ratio of 2.55, a quick ratio of 1.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13.

Watts Water Technologies (NYSE:WTS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 30th. The technology company reported $2.03 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates 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 company had revenue of $543.60 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $541.83 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.04 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Watts Water Technologies, Inc. will post 8.75 earnings per share for the current year.

Watts Water Technologies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 29th will be given a $0.43 dividend. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.80%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 29th. Watts Water Technologies's dividend payout ratio is currently 20.62%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have weighed in on WTS shares. StockNews.com upgraded Watts Water Technologies from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, August 16th. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price on Watts Water Technologies from $217.00 to $202.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Robert W. Baird lowered their target price on Watts Water Technologies from $225.00 to $199.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Finally, Northcoast Research upgraded Watts Water Technologies from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $225.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 4th.

Watts Water Technologies Company 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.