Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund Invests $990,000 in Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:WTW)

Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund acquired a new stake in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:WTW - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 2,928 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $990,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. McIlrath & Eck LLC acquired a new position in Willis Towers Watson Public in the fourth quarter valued at about $30,000. GeoWealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public by 94.9% during the 4th quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC now owns 115 shares of the company's stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 56 shares during the period. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich bought a new stake in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public during the fourth quarter worth approximately $49,000. Park Square Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $62,000. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc raised its stake in Willis Towers Watson Public by 57.5% in the first quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 274 shares of the company's stock valued at $93,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. 93.09% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity

In other news, CFO Andrew Jay Krasner sold 1,600 shares of Willis Towers Watson Public stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $315.75, for a total transaction of $505,200.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 11,982 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,783,316.50. This trade represents a 11.78% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.32% of the company's stock.

Willis Towers Watson Public Stock Performance

Willis Towers Watson Public stock traded down $1.31 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $302.38. 820,023 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 593,688. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a quick ratio of 1.89 and a current ratio of 1.89. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $308.31 and its 200 day simple moving average is $317.36. The stock has a market cap of $29.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -604.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 0.70. Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company has a 12-month low of $255.19 and a 12-month high of $344.14.

Willis Towers Watson Public (NASDAQ:WTW - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 24th. The company reported $3.13 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $3.27 by ($0.14). Willis Towers Watson Public had a negative net margin of 0.54% and a positive return on equity of 20.53%. The business had revenue of $2.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.29 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $3.13 EPS. Willis Towers Watson Public's revenue for the quarter was down 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts predict that Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company will post 17.32 EPS for the current year.

Willis Towers Watson Public Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 30th will be given a dividend of $0.92 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 30th. This represents a $3.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.22%. Willis Towers Watson Public's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -736.00%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have commented on WTW shares. Barclays upped their price target on Willis Towers Watson Public from $302.00 to $316.00 and gave the company an "underweight" rating in a research report on Friday, April 11th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their target price on shares of Willis Towers Watson Public from $371.00 to $366.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 28th. UBS Group upgraded shares of Willis Towers Watson Public from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $344.00 to $395.00 in a report on Tuesday, March 18th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price objective on shares of Willis Towers Watson Public from $373.00 to $371.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Willis Towers Watson Public currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $356.30.

About Willis Towers Watson Public

Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company operates as an advisory, broking, and solutions company worldwide. It operates through two segments: Health, Wealth & Career and Risk & Broking. The company offers strategy and design consulting, plan management service and support, broking and administration services for health, wellbeing, and other group benefit program, including medical, dental, disability, life, voluntary benefits and other coverages; actuarial support, plan design, and administrative services for pension and retirement savings plans; retirement consulting services and solutions; and integrated solutions that consists of investment discretionary management, pension administration, core actuarial, and communication and change management assistance services.