Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company $WTW Stake Decreased by Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C.

Key Points

• Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. reduced its stake in Willis Towers Watson by 3.6%, now holding 216,088 shares valued at approximately $73 million.
• According to analysts, Willis Towers Watson has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" with a consensus target price of $362.92, as several price adjustments were made by firms like Wells Fargo and Citigroup.
• The company recently announced a quarterly dividend of $0.92 per share, with an annualized yield of 1.1%, although its payout ratio stands at an unusually high 252.05%.

Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. trimmed its position in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:WTW - Free Report) by 3.6% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 216,088 shares of the company's stock after selling 8,000 shares during the period. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. owned approximately 0.22% of Willis Towers Watson Public worth $73,027,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Wayfinding Financial LLC acquired a new stake in Willis Towers Watson Public in the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC increased its holdings in Willis Towers Watson Public by 750.0% in the 1st quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 85 shares of the company's stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 75 shares in the last quarter. Crewe Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Willis Towers Watson Public in the 1st quarter valued at $32,000. McIlrath & Eck LLC acquired a new stake in Willis Towers Watson Public in the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, Larson Financial Group LLC increased its holdings in Willis Towers Watson Public by 122.9% in the 1st quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 107 shares of the company's stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares in the last quarter. 93.09% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Willis Towers Watson Public Stock Performance

WTW stock traded up $1.05 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $330.32. The company had a trading volume of 123,553 shares, compared to its average volume of 638,031. The company has a quick ratio of 1.90, a current ratio of 1.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $318.79 and a 200 day moving average price of $317.42. Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company has a fifty-two week low of $283.29 and a fifty-two week high of $344.14. The firm has a market capitalization of $32.22 billion, a PE ratio of 226.28, a P/E/G ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.71.

Willis Towers Watson Public (NASDAQ:WTW - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The company reported $2.86 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.65 by $0.21. Willis Towers Watson Public had a return on equity of 21.60% and a net margin of 1.40%.The company had revenue of $2.26 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.23 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.55 earnings per share. Willis Towers Watson Public's quarterly revenue was down .2% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company will post 17.32 earnings per share for the current year.

Willis Towers Watson Public Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 30th will be paid a $0.92 dividend. This represents a $3.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 30th. Willis Towers Watson Public's payout ratio is presently 252.05%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

WTW has been the subject of several recent research reports. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Willis Towers Watson Public from $387.00 to $369.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, July 10th. Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of Willis Towers Watson Public from $316.00 to $305.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, July 7th. Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on shares of Willis Towers Watson Public in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $355.00 price objective for the company. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Willis Towers Watson Public from $335.00 to $345.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Monday, August 18th. Finally, Citigroup initiated coverage on shares of Willis Towers Watson Public in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $351.00 price objective for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $362.92.

Willis Towers Watson Public Company Profile

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.