ICICI Prudential Asset Management Co Ltd reduced its holdings in West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST – Free Report) by 13.5% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 40,638 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock after selling 6,362 shares during the quarter. West Pharmaceutical Services makes up 1.1% of ICICI Prudential Asset Management Co Ltd’s portfolio, making the stock its 14th biggest position. ICICI Prudential Asset Management Co Ltd owned approximately 0.06% of West Pharmaceutical Services worth $10,661,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC acquired a new position in West Pharmaceutical Services in the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC boosted its position in West Pharmaceutical Services by 193.9% during the 2nd quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 144 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 95 shares during the period. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. grew its stake in West Pharmaceutical Services by 1,842.9% during the 3rd quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 136 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 129 shares during the last quarter. CVA Family Office LLC increased its position in West Pharmaceutical Services by 573.3% in the second quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 202 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $44,000 after buying an additional 172 shares during the period. Finally, Pilgrim Partners Asia Pte Ltd bought a new stake in West Pharmaceutical Services in the third quarter valued at $47,000. Institutional investors own 93.90% of the company’s stock.
West Pharmaceutical Services Stock Performance
Shares of NYSE WST opened at $243.36 on Friday. West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $187.43 and a 1 year high of $322.34. The firm has a market cap of $17.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.84, a PEG ratio of 2.63 and a beta of 1.18. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $259.15 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $261.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a quick ratio of 2.34 and a current ratio of 3.02.
West Pharmaceutical Services Dividend Announcement
The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 6th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 29th will be paid a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 29th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.4%. West Pharmaceutical Services’s payout ratio is currently 12.96%.
West Pharmaceutical Services declared that its board has initiated a stock buyback program on Tuesday, February 17th that allows the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the medical instruments supplier to reacquire up to 5.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are typically an indication that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades
Several research firms have recently commented on WST. TD Cowen began coverage on shares of West Pharmaceutical Services in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. They set a “buy” rating for the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “buy” rating and issued a $315.00 target price on shares of West Pharmaceutical Services in a research report on Friday, February 13th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a “buy” rating and issued a $295.00 price target on shares of West Pharmaceutical Services in a research note on Tuesday, February 10th. Wall Street Zen upgraded West Pharmaceutical Services from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, December 20th. Finally, Barclays decreased their price objective on West Pharmaceutical Services from $325.00 to $265.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 13th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $314.56.
Check Out Our Latest Report on West Pharmaceutical Services
About West Pharmaceutical Services
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc is a global developer and manufacturer of components, systems and services that enable the containment and delivery of injectable drugs. The company focuses on high-quality packaging and delivery solutions for the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, producing primary drug packaging components and specialized drug delivery devices used for vaccines, biologics and other injectable therapies. West is known for its elastomeric closures, seals and polymer components that maintain sterility and compatibility with sensitive drug formulations.
In addition to component manufacturing, West provides engineered delivery systems and support services across the product lifecycle.
Recommended Stories
- Five stocks we like better than West Pharmaceutical Services
- 3 Signs You May Want to Switch Financial Advisors
- Buffett, Gates and Bezos Quietly Dumping Stocks—Here’s Why
- Unlocked: Elon Musk’s Next Big IPO
- My Epstein Story
- NEW LAW: Congress Approves Setup For Digital Dollar?
Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WST? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST – Free Report).
Receive News & Ratings for West Pharmaceutical Services Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for West Pharmaceutical Services and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
