Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. Sells 2,602 Shares of Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG)

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. decreased its holdings in shares of Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG - Free Report) by 19.5% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 10,746 shares of the business services provider's stock after selling 2,602 shares during the period. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A.'s holdings in Republic Services were worth $2,162,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in RSG. Arcadia Investment Management Corp MI grew its holdings in Republic Services by 200.0% during the fourth quarter. Arcadia Investment Management Corp MI now owns 132 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 88 shares in the last quarter. R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Republic Services in the fourth quarter valued at about $32,000. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC grew its position in Republic Services by 70.2% in the 4th quarter. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC now owns 177 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares in the last quarter. Generali Asset Management SPA SGR purchased a new position in shares of Republic Services in the 4th quarter worth approximately $45,000. Finally, Bank of Jackson Hole Trust bought a new stake in Republic Services during the fourth quarter worth $48,000. 57.73% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling at Republic Services

In other Republic Services news, COO Gregg Brummer sold 6,293 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $228.20, for a total value of $1,436,062.60. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 10,416 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,376,931.20. This trade represents a 37.66 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.11% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on shares of Republic Services from $239.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on Republic Services from $260.00 to $268.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, April 25th. CIBC raised shares of Republic Services from a "neutral" rating to a "sector outperform" rating and set a $264.00 price objective for the company in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. Robert W. Baird increased their target price on Republic Services from $232.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Raymond James reissued an "outperform" rating on shares of Republic Services in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $249.00.

Republic Services Trading Down 0.5 %

Shares of Republic Services stock traded down $1.29 during trading on Thursday, reaching $249.46. The company's stock had a trading volume of 829,514 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,114,297. The company has a market cap of $77.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.44, a PEG ratio of 3.64 and a beta of 0.62. The firm's 50-day moving average is $237.95 and its two-hundred day moving average is $220.38. Republic Services, Inc. has a 52-week low of $180.92 and a 52-week high of $251.70. The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04.

Republic Services (NYSE:RSG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 24th. The business services provider reported $1.58 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.53 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $4.01 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.08 billion. Republic Services had a return on equity of 18.28% and a net margin of 12.74%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 3.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.45 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Republic Services, Inc. will post 6.86 earnings per share for the current year.

Republic Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, July 2nd will be issued a $0.58 dividend. This represents a $2.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.93%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 2nd. Republic Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 34.99%.

Republic Services Profile

Republic Services, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, offers environmental services in the United States and Canada. It is involved in the collection and processing of recyclable, solid waste, and industrial waste materials; transportation and disposal of non-hazardous and hazardous waste streams; and other environmental solutions.