Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund purchased a new stake in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 2,111 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock, valued at approximately $473,000.
A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Whipplewood Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Private Trust Co. NA boosted its holdings in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 138.6% during the 4th quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 136 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $45,000 after buying an additional 79 shares in the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc grew its position in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 150.9% during the 4th quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 133 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $45,000 after buying an additional 80 shares during the period. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services during the 1st quarter worth approximately $53,000. Finally, Lindbrook Capital LLC increased its stake in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 41.9% in the 4th quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 220 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $72,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. 93.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
West Pharmaceutical Services Stock Up 0.2%
WST traded up $0.43 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $219.43. 92,177 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 727,109. The company has a market cap of $15.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.44 and a beta of 1.09. West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. has a one year low of $187.43 and a one year high of $352.33. The company's fifty day moving average price is $214.63 and its 200 day moving average price is $254.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a quick ratio of 2.03 and a current ratio of 2.77.
West Pharmaceutical Services (NYSE:WST - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The medical instruments supplier reported $1.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.22 by $0.23. The business had revenue of $698.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $685.24 million. West Pharmaceutical Services had a return on equity of 18.23% and a net margin of 16.13%. West Pharmaceutical Services's revenue was up .4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.56 earnings per share. As a group, analysts expect that West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. will post 6.62 EPS for the current year.
West Pharmaceutical Services Dividend Announcement
The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 6th. Investors of record on Wednesday, July 30th will be given a dividend of $0.21 per share. This represents a $0.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.38%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, July 30th. West Pharmaceutical Services's payout ratio is currently 13.19%.
Analyst Ratings Changes
Several research analysts recently issued reports on WST shares. Evercore ISI began coverage on shares of West Pharmaceutical Services in a research note on Tuesday, March 18th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $275.00 target price on the stock. Stephens raised shares of West Pharmaceutical Services to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Monday, April 21st. Barclays started coverage on West Pharmaceutical Services in a research report on Tuesday. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $245.00 target price for the company. Citigroup reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of West Pharmaceutical Services in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut West Pharmaceutical Services from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $320.00.
Read Our Latest Research Report on West Pharmaceutical Services
West Pharmaceutical Services Company Profile
(
Free Report)
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc designs, manufactures, and sells containment and delivery systems for injectable drugs and healthcare products in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in two segments, Proprietary Products and Contract-Manufactured Products.
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