Aurora Private Wealth Inc. Makes New $4.17 Million Investment in Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG)

Aurora Private Wealth Inc. acquired a new position in Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG - Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 17,228 shares of the business services provider's stock, valued at approximately $4,172,000. Republic Services makes up 1.1% of Aurora Private Wealth Inc.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 26th biggest position.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Republic Services in the fourth quarter worth about $553,039,000. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in Republic Services by 39,024.4% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,226,177 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $539,091,000 after acquiring an additional 2,220,487 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Republic Services in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $184,827,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its stake in shares of Republic Services by 10.4% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 5,317,804 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $1,069,836,000 after purchasing an additional 499,237 shares during the period. Finally, Alyeska Investment Group L.P. lifted its stake in shares of Republic Services by 170.6% in the 4th quarter. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. now owns 584,345 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $117,559,000 after purchasing an additional 368,395 shares during the period. 57.73% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Republic Services Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:RSG traded up $3.45 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $241.14. The company had a trading volume of 1,261,978 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,145,699. Republic Services, Inc. has a 12-month low of $188.82 and a 12-month high of $258.75. The company has a fifty day moving average of $249.04 and a two-hundred day moving average of $233.07. The company has a market cap of $75.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.37, a PEG ratio of 3.69 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 0.66 and a quick ratio of 0.66.

Republic Services (NYSE:RSG - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The business services provider reported $1.58 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.53 by $0.05. Republic Services had a return on equity of 18.28% and a net margin of 12.88%. The business had revenue of $4.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.08 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.45 earnings per share. The business's quarterly revenue was up 3.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts expect that Republic Services, Inc. will post 6.86 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Republic Services Dividend Announcement

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 dividend of $0.58 per share. This represents a $2.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.96%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 2nd. Republic Services's dividend payout ratio is currently 34.99%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have recently commented on RSG. National Bank Financial upgraded Republic Services to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, May 26th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Republic Services from $229.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, May 23rd. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $280.00 target price (up previously from $268.00) on shares of Republic Services in a research note on Monday, June 9th. Scotiabank lifted their target price on shares of Republic Services from $233.00 to $250.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. Finally, Raymond James Financial restated an "outperform" rating on shares of Republic Services in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $252.68.

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.