Avanza Fonder AB Makes New Investment in Willis Towers Watson Public Limited (NASDAQ:WTW)

Avanza Fonder AB acquired a new position in Willis Towers Watson Public Limited (NASDAQ:WTW - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 6,522 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,201,000.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. McIlrath & Eck LLC bought a new stake in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public during the 4th quarter worth $30,000. GeoWealth Management LLC raised its position in Willis Towers Watson Public by 94.9% during the fourth quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC now owns 115 shares of the company's stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 56 shares in the last quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich bought a new stake in Willis Towers Watson Public during the fourth quarter worth about $49,000. Park Square Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public in the 4th quarter worth about $62,000. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc increased its position in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public by 57.5% during the 1st quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 274 shares of the company's stock valued at $93,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.09% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at Willis Towers Watson Public

In other news, CFO Andrew Jay Krasner sold 1,600 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 3rd. The shares were 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 in the company, valued at approximately $3,783,316.50. The trade was a 11.78% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.32% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Willis Towers Watson Public Trading Up 1.7%

NASDAQ:WTW traded up $5.15 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $301.11. 508,528 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 590,514. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $311.01 and a 200-day moving average price of $318.87. The firm has a market capitalization of $29.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -301.11, a PEG ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 1.98 and a quick ratio of 1.72. Willis Towers Watson Public Limited has a 12-month low of $253.03 and a 12-month high of $344.14.

Willis Towers Watson Public (NASDAQ:WTW - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The company reported $3.13 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $3.27 by ($0.14). The business had revenue of $2.22 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.29 billion. Willis Towers Watson Public had a negative net margin of 0.99% and a positive return on equity of 20.02%. Willis Towers Watson Public's revenue was down 5.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $3.13 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Willis Towers Watson Public Limited will post 17.32 earnings per share for the current year.

Willis Towers Watson Public Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 30th will be given a $0.92 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 30th. This represents a $3.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.22%. Willis Towers Watson Public's dividend payout ratio is -736.00%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

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