Acadian Asset Management LLC Trims Stake in WNS (Holdings) Limited $WNS

Key Points

• Acadian Asset Management LLC has reduced its stake in WNS (Holdings) Limited by 32.5%, owning approximately 898,346 shares worth $55.22 million after selling 433,160 shares in the first quarter.
• Several analysts have downgraded WNS's stock rating from "strong-buy" to "hold," with the current average rating being "Hold" and an average price target of $67.43.
• WNS reported a quarterly EPS of $1.02, exceeding consensus estimates, with revenue growth of 9.5% year-over-year, amounting to $339.90 million.

Acadian Asset Management LLC lessened its position in WNS (Holdings) Limited (NYSE:WNS - Free Report) by 32.5% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 898,346 shares of the business services provider's stock after selling 433,160 shares during the period. Acadian Asset Management LLC owned 1.94% of WNS worth $55,221,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Quarry LP bought a new stake in WNS during the 1st quarter valued at about $47,000. NBC Securities Inc. purchased a new stake in WNS during the first quarter valued at $96,000. KBC Group NV bought a new position in WNS during the first quarter valued at $109,000. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. bought a new position in shares of WNS in the first quarter worth about $209,000. Finally, Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd bought a new position in shares of WNS in the first quarter worth about $216,000. 97.36% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

WNS Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE WNS traded down $0.08 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $75.66. 305,798 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 603,502. WNS has a 1-year low of $42.62 and a 1-year high of $75.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 1.47 and a quick ratio of 1.47. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.08, a PEG ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 0.91. The company's 50-day moving average price is $75.07 and its 200-day moving average price is $65.51.

WNS (NYSE:WNS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 24th. The business services provider reported $1.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.97 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $339.90 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $323.13 million. WNS had a return on equity of 22.90% and a net margin of 12.11%.The business's revenue for the quarter was up 9.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.93 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that WNS will post 3.8 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

WNS has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of WNS from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, July 12th. Needham & Company LLC lowered shares of WNS from a "moderate buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, July 7th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on WNS in a research note on Thursday, July 17th. They set a "hold" rating and a $76.50 target price for the company. Baird R W lowered WNS from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 8th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a "hold" rating and set a $76.50 target price (down from $80.00) on shares of WNS in a research report on Tuesday, July 8th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $67.43.

WNS Company Profile

WNS (Holdings) Limited, a business process management (BPM) company, provides data, voice, analytical, and business transformation services worldwide. The company operates through TSLU, MRHP, HCLS, and BFSI segments. It engages in diversified business, including manufacturing, retail, consumer packaged goods, media and entertainment, and telecommunication; travel and leisure, utilities, shipping, and logistics; healthcare and life sciences; banking, financial services, and insurance; and Hi-tech and professional services, as well as procurement.