Weatherford International (NASDAQ:WFRD) Hits New 1-Year Low After Insider Selling

Shares of Weatherford International plc (NASDAQ:WFRD - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week low during trading on Monday following insider selling activity. The company traded as low as $61.46 and last traded at $60.59, with a volume of 1493 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $62.95.

Specifically, EVP Scott C. Weatherholt sold 44,505 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.17, for a total value of $2,944,895.85. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 125,019 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $8,272,507.23. This represents a 26.25 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered Weatherford International from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $132.00 to $98.00 in a research note on Friday, December 13th. Evercore ISI dropped their price target on Weatherford International from $149.00 to $142.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 24th. Benchmark restated a "buy" rating and set a $155.00 price objective on shares of Weatherford International in a report on Thursday, October 24th. Citigroup decreased their target price on shares of Weatherford International from $110.00 to $95.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Friday, December 20th. Finally, Barclays cut their price target on shares of Weatherford International from $147.00 to $105.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, December 18th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $121.25.

Weatherford International Price Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $4.75 billion, a PE ratio of 9.18, a P/E/G ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a quick ratio of 1.49, a current ratio of 2.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20. The stock's 50-day moving average is $71.99 and its 200 day moving average is $86.90.

Weatherford International (NASDAQ:WFRD - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $1.50 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.80 by ($0.30). Weatherford International had a net margin of 9.65% and a return on equity of 46.25%. As a group, equities analysts predict that Weatherford International plc will post 6.66 earnings per share for the current year.

Weatherford International Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 21st will be paid a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.53%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 21st. Weatherford International's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 14.04%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Weatherford International

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Lindbrook Capital LLC lifted its stake in Weatherford International by 130.8% in the fourth quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 360 shares of the company's stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 204 shares during the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Weatherford International by 364.9% during the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 358 shares of the company's stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 281 shares in the last quarter. nVerses Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Weatherford International in the 3rd quarter valued at $34,000. R Squared Ltd bought a new stake in Weatherford International in the fourth quarter worth $36,000. Finally, Millburn Ridgefield Corp acquired a new position in Weatherford International during the third quarter worth $42,000. Institutional investors own 97.23% of the company's stock.

About Weatherford International

Weatherford International plc, an energy services company, provides equipment and services for the drilling, evaluation, completion, production, and intervention of oil, geothermal, and natural gas wells worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Drilling and Evaluation; Well Construction and Completions; and Production and Intervention.