Securian Asset Management Inc. Lowers Position in Republic Services, Inc. $RSG

Securian Asset Management Inc. trimmed its stake in shares of Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG) by 43.6% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 5,471 shares of the business services provider’s stock after selling 4,232 shares during the period. Securian Asset Management Inc.’s holdings in Republic Services were worth $1,159,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Republic Services during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Wealth Watch Advisors INC bought a new stake in shares of Republic Services in the third quarter worth about $26,000. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Republic Services by 121.8% in the third quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC now owns 122 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. bought a new position in Republic Services during the third quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Finally, Sound Income Strategies LLC purchased a new position in Republic Services during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.73% of the company’s stock.

Republic Services Price Performance

RSG stock opened at $202.28 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $62.23 billion, a PE ratio of 29.02, a P/E/G ratio of 3.27 and a beta of 0.43. Republic Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $196.41 and a 12 month high of $258.75. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $216.14 and a 200 day moving average price of $215.18. The company has a current ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11.

Republic Services (NYSE:RSG) last released its earnings results on Friday, May 8th. The business services provider reported $1.70 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.64 by $0.06. Republic Services had a return on equity of 18.57% and a net margin of 13.00%.The firm had revenue of $4.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.10 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.58 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Republic Services, Inc. will post 7.24 earnings per share for the current year.

Republic Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 2nd will be given a $0.625 dividend. This represents a $2.50 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 2nd. Republic Services’s dividend payout ratio is 36.15%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on RSG. Citigroup decreased their price objective on Republic Services from $253.00 to $247.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $249.00 price target on shares of Republic Services in a research report on Friday. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price target on shares of Republic Services from $265.00 to $267.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, May 8th. Scotiabank lowered their price objective on shares of Republic Services from $246.00 to $242.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Republic Services from $227.00 to $233.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Republic Services has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $245.15.

Republic Services Profile

Republic Services, Inc is a leading provider of non-hazardous solid waste and recycling services in the United States. The company offers a broad range of waste management solutions to residential, commercial, industrial and municipal customers, positioning itself as a full-service partner for everyday waste collection as well as specialized disposal needs.

Republic’s core operations include curbside and commercial collection, transfer and hauling, materials recovery and recycling facilities, and landfill disposal.