Watts Water Technologies (NYSE:WTS) General Counsel Kenneth Robert Lepage Sells 5,025 Shares

Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS) General Counsel Kenneth Robert Lepage sold 5,025 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $321.08, for a total value of $1,613,427.00. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel owned 12,284 shares in the company, valued at $3,944,146.72. This trade represents a 29.03% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink.

Watts Water Technologies Price Performance

WTS traded up $2.84 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $331.37. The company had a trading volume of 24,882 shares, compared to its average volume of 201,784. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $294.37 and its 200-day simple moving average is $282.08. Watts Water Technologies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $177.59 and a twelve month high of $345.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10, a quick ratio of 1.49 and a current ratio of 2.51. The company has a market capitalization of $11.05 billion, a PE ratio of 32.70, a P/E/G ratio of 3.01 and a beta of 1.24.

Watts Water Technologies (NYSE:WTS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 11th. The technology company reported $2.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.36 by $0.26. Watts Water Technologies had a net margin of 13.98% and a return on equity of 18.55%. The firm had revenue of $625.10 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $610.40 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.05 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 15.7% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts predict that Watts Water Technologies, Inc. will post 9.08 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Watts Water Technologies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be paid a $0.52 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. Watts Water Technologies’s payout ratio is presently 20.45%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Advyzon Investment Management LLC grew its position in Watts Water Technologies by 3.8% in the 4th quarter. Advyzon Investment Management LLC now owns 843 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $233,000 after purchasing an additional 31 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC boosted its stake in shares of Watts Water Technologies by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 4,163 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $1,149,000 after buying an additional 32 shares during the last quarter. C M Bidwell & Associates Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Watts Water Technologies by 5.5% in the fourth quarter. C M Bidwell & Associates Ltd. now owns 648 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $179,000 after acquiring an additional 34 shares in the last quarter. World Investment Advisors increased its position in shares of Watts Water Technologies by 1.4% during the third quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 2,648 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $740,000 after acquiring an additional 37 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Centennial Wealth Advisory LLC lifted its holdings in Watts Water Technologies by 3.8% during the fourth quarter. Centennial Wealth Advisory LLC now owns 1,012 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $279,000 after acquiring an additional 37 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 95.02% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Wall Street Zen raised Watts Water Technologies from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Saturday, January 10th. Wells Fargo & Company set a $275.00 target price on shares of Watts Water Technologies in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on Watts Water Technologies in a report on Friday, December 12th. They set a “hold” rating and a $300.00 price target for the company. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price objective on Watts Water Technologies from $288.00 to $337.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on Watts Water Technologies from $320.00 to $389.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $334.11.

About Watts Water Technologies

Watts Water Technologies, Inc is a global manufacturer and distributor of flow control products and solutions designed to ensure the safe, efficient delivery and use of water. Founded in 1874 and headquartered in North Andover, Massachusetts, the company has built a reputation for engineering innovation in residential, commercial and industrial plumbing, heating, cooling and water treatment systems. Watts operates through a comprehensive portfolio of brands and product lines that address application-specific requirements in water safety, pressure regulation, flow control and filtration.

The company’s product offerings span backflow preventers, pressure reducing valves, relief valves and steam traps, as well as hydronic balancing and temperature control devices for heating systems.