Rathbones Group PLC Grows Holdings in Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE:WMS)

Key Points

• Rathbones Group PLC increased its position in Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. by 15.1% during the first quarter, acquiring an additional 38,658 shares to own approximately 0.38% of the company, valued at $31.98 million.
• Several analysts are optimistic about the stock, with UBS Group setting a target price of $167.00 and Barclays adjusting theirs to $160.00, reflecting a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy."
• Despite a slight year-over-year decline in earnings per share, Advanced Drainage Systems reported a good financial performance with revenues of $829.88 million and a quarterly dividend announcement of $0.18 per share.

Rathbones Group PLC lifted its stake in Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE:WMS - Free Report) by 15.1% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 294,313 shares of the construction company's stock after purchasing an additional 38,658 shares during the quarter. Rathbones Group PLC owned 0.38% of Advanced Drainage Systems worth $31,977,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of WMS. NBC Securities Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems in the 1st quarter worth about $26,000. Bessemer Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 76.2% in the 1st quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 266 shares of the construction company's stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 115 shares during the last quarter. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise purchased a new position in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems in the 1st quarter worth about $66,000. Signaturefd LLC raised its position in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 110.7% in the 1st quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 670 shares of the construction company's stock worth $73,000 after purchasing an additional 352 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mascagni Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems in the 4th quarter worth about $74,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.83% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on WMS shares. UBS Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating and issued a $167.00 price target (up previously from $146.00) on shares of Advanced Drainage Systems in a research report on Friday, August 8th. Wall Street Zen raised Advanced Drainage Systems from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday. Royal Bank Of Canada began coverage on Advanced Drainage Systems in a research report on Monday. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $159.00 target price for the company. Barclays boosted their target price on Advanced Drainage Systems from $135.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, August 8th. Finally, Robert W. Baird set a $166.00 target price on Advanced Drainage Systems in a research report on Friday, August 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $152.56.

Advanced Drainage Systems Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE WMS traded up $6.12 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $142.90. 1,385,180 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 783,986. Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. has a 1 year low of $93.92 and a 1 year high of $166.03. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.82 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 2.25 and a current ratio of 3.22. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $117.99 and a 200 day moving average of $114.69.

Advanced Drainage Systems (NYSE:WMS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 7th. The construction company reported $1.95 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.78 by $0.17. Advanced Drainage Systems had a net margin of 14.82% and a return on equity of 29.57%. The firm had revenue of $829.88 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $800.54 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.06 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 1.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts forecast that Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. will post 6.1 earnings per share for the current year.

Advanced Drainage Systems Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 29th will be given a dividend of $0.18 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 29th. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.5%. Advanced Drainage Systems's dividend payout ratio is presently 13.00%.

Advanced Drainage Systems Company Profile

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc designs, manufactures, and markets thermoplastic corrugated pipes and related water management products in North America and internationally. The company operates through Pipe, International, Infiltrator, and Allied Products & Other segments. It offers single, double, and triple wall corrugated polypropylene and polyethylene pipes; plastic leachfield chambers and systems; EZflow synthetic aggregate bundles; wastewater purification through mechanical aeration wastewater for residential and commercial systems; septic tanks and accessories; combined treatment and dispersal systems, including advanced enviro-septic and advanced treatment leachfield systems; and allied products, including storm retention/detention and septic chambers, polyvinyl chloride drainage structures, fittings, and water quality filters and separators.