Werner Enterprises (NASDAQ:WERN) Sets New 1-Year Low - Here's Why

Werner Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ:WERN - Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as $32.80 and last traded at $32.89, with a volume of 150231 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $34.07.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have weighed in on WERN shares. StockNews.com raised shares of Werner Enterprises from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 20th. TD Cowen increased their price objective on shares of Werner Enterprises from $40.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Evercore ISI dropped their target price on shares of Werner Enterprises from $35.00 to $32.00 and set an "in-line" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on Werner Enterprises from $36.00 to $34.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 7th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on Werner Enterprises from $37.00 to $34.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $37.29.

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Werner Enterprises Stock Performance

The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $35.80 and a 200 day moving average price of $37.25. The company has a quick ratio of 1.48, a current ratio of 1.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 59.55 and a beta of 0.84.

Werner Enterprises (NASDAQ:WERN - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The transportation company reported $0.08 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.23 by ($0.15). Werner Enterprises had a return on equity of 2.27% and a net margin of 1.13%. On average, analysts forecast that Werner Enterprises, Inc. will post 1.27 EPS for the current year.

Werner Enterprises Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 7th. Investors of record on Monday, April 14th will be issued a $0.14 dividend. This represents a $0.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.71%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 14th. Werner Enterprises's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 101.82%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Maple Rock Capital Partners Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Werner Enterprises during the 4th quarter worth about $35,257,000. Wellington Management Group LLP purchased a new position in Werner Enterprises in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $31,634,000. Nuance Investments LLC raised its holdings in Werner Enterprises by 24.5% during the third quarter. Nuance Investments LLC now owns 3,943,893 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $152,195,000 after purchasing an additional 776,277 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position in shares of Werner Enterprises by 13.4% during the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,987,187 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $71,380,000 after buying an additional 234,811 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Werner Enterprises by 9.5% in the 4th quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 1,660,846 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $59,010,000 after buying an additional 143,953 shares in the last quarter. 89.32% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Werner Enterprises Company Profile

Werner Enterprises, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in transporting truckload shipments of general commodities in interstate and intrastate commerce in the United States, Mexico, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Truckload Transportation Services and Werner Logistics.