Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE:WMS) Given Consensus Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Brokerages

Shares of Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE:WMS - Get Free Report) have been assigned an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the eight analysts that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and seven have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $139.88.

WMS has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Advanced Drainage Systems from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. Stephens reiterated an "equal weight" rating and issued a $135.00 price objective on shares of Advanced Drainage Systems in a report on Friday, February 7th. Robert W. Baird cut their target price on Advanced Drainage Systems from $146.00 to $141.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, May 16th. KeyCorp cut their target price on Advanced Drainage Systems from $180.00 to $135.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 8th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on Advanced Drainage Systems in a research note on Tuesday, April 1st. They issued a "buy" rating and a $134.00 price target on the stock.

Advanced Drainage Systems Trading Up 1.4%

Advanced Drainage Systems stock traded up $1.53 during trading on Friday, reaching $111.52. 839,916 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 602,758. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $110.19 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $117.45. The company has a market capitalization of $8.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.65, a PEG ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93, a current ratio of 3.21 and a quick ratio of 1.98. Advanced Drainage Systems has a 52-week low of $93.92 and a 52-week high of $179.57.

Advanced Drainage Systems (NYSE:WMS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 15th. The construction company reported $1.03 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.09 by ($0.06). The company had revenue of $615.76 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $653.22 million. Advanced Drainage Systems had a return on equity of 35.79% and a net margin of 15.90%. The firm's revenue was down 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.23 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Advanced Drainage Systems will post 6.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Advanced Drainage Systems Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 30th will be paid a $0.18 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 30th. This is a boost from Advanced Drainage Systems's previous quarterly dividend of $0.16. This represents a $0.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.65%. Advanced Drainage Systems's payout ratio is presently 12.50%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Advanced Drainage Systems

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. NBC Securities Inc. acquired a new position in Advanced Drainage Systems in the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. Bessemer Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 76.2% in the first quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 266 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 115 shares in the last quarter. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise purchased a new stake in Advanced Drainage Systems during the 1st quarter worth approximately $66,000. Signaturefd LLC lifted its holdings in Advanced Drainage Systems by 110.7% during the 1st quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 670 shares of the construction company's stock worth $73,000 after buying an additional 352 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mascagni Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Advanced Drainage Systems during the 4th quarter worth approximately $74,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.83% of the company's stock.

Advanced Drainage Systems Company Profile

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc designs, manufactures, and markets thermoplastic corrugated pipes and related water management products in North America and internationally. The company operates through Pipe, International, Infiltrator, and Allied Products & Other segments. It offers single, double, and triple wall corrugated polypropylene and polyethylene pipes; plastic leachfield chambers and systems; EZflow synthetic aggregate bundles; wastewater purification through mechanical aeration wastewater for residential and commercial systems; septic tanks and accessories; combined treatment and dispersal systems, including advanced enviro-septic and advanced treatment leachfield systems; and allied products, including storm retention/detention and septic chambers, polyvinyl chloride drainage structures, fittings, and water quality filters and separators.