Natixis Advisors LLC Cuts Stock Position in Weatherford International plc (NASDAQ:WFRD)

Natixis Advisors LLC trimmed its stake in Weatherford International plc (NASDAQ:WFRD - Free Report) by 20.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 33,596 shares of the company's stock after selling 8,508 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors LLC's holdings in Weatherford International were worth $2,406,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of WFRD. Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new stake in Weatherford International in the third quarter worth $571,000. New York Life Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Weatherford International in the 4th quarter worth about $546,000. Amundi lifted its position in Weatherford International by 154.7% during the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 38,993 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,813,000 after acquiring an additional 23,685 shares during the period. Barclays PLC boosted its stake in Weatherford International by 59.4% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 31,349 shares of the company's stock worth $2,663,000 after acquiring an additional 11,680 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd boosted its stake in Weatherford International by 1,138.4% during the third quarter. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd now owns 32,124 shares of the company's stock worth $2,728,000 after acquiring an additional 29,530 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 97.23% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on WFRD shares. Benchmark lowered their target price on shares of Weatherford International from $140.00 to $125.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded Weatherford International from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $132.00 to $98.00 in a report on Friday, December 13th. Raymond James dropped their price target on shares of Weatherford International from $107.00 to $97.00 and set a "strong-buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 7th. Citigroup reduced their price objective on shares of Weatherford International from $110.00 to $95.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, December 20th. Finally, Piper Sandler decreased their target price on shares of Weatherford International from $87.00 to $82.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Monday, February 10th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Weatherford International has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $107.63.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Scott C. Weatherholt sold 44,505 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 29th. The shares were 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 in the company, valued at $8,272,507.23. This represents a 26.25 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP David John Reed sold 4,762 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.66, for a total transaction of $346,006.92. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 11,109 shares of the company's stock, valued at $807,179.94. This trade represents a 30.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 92,692 shares of company stock valued at $6,207,725 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 1.60% of the company's stock.

Weatherford International Stock Performance

WFRD traded down $1.32 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $54.69. 858,548 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 996,921. The company's 50-day moving average is $62.82 and its 200 day moving average is $75.38. The company has a quick ratio of 1.49, a current ratio of 2.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.98 billion, a PE ratio of 8.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 0.61. Weatherford International plc has a 52 week low of $51.24 and a 52 week high of $135.00.

Weatherford International (NASDAQ:WFRD - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $1.50 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.80 by ($0.30). Weatherford International had a net margin of 9.18% and a return on equity of 40.65%. On average, research analysts expect that Weatherford International plc will post 5.89 EPS for the current year.

Weatherford International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 21st were paid a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 21st. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.83%. Weatherford International's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 14.88%.

Weatherford International Company Profile

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.