Ascent Group LLC Makes New $2.11 Million Investment in Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company $WTW

Key Points

• Ascent Group LLC has acquired a new stake in Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company valued at approximately $2.11 million, purchasing 6,242 shares.
• The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $2.86 for the latest quarter, exceeding estimates by $0.21, with quarterly revenue of $2.26 billion.
• Willis Towers Watson announced a quarterly dividend of $0.92 per share, with a high dividend payout ratio of 252.05% and a yield of 1.1%.

Ascent Group LLC acquired a new stake in Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:WTW - Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 6,242 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,109,000.

Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Wayfinding Financial LLC bought a new stake in Willis Towers Watson Public in the first quarter worth $25,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC increased its position in Willis Towers Watson Public by 750.0% during the first quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 85 shares of the company's stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 75 shares during the last quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public in the fourth quarter valued at $30,000. Crewe Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public in the first quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, Larson Financial Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public by 122.9% in the 1st quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 107 shares of the company's stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 59 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.09% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently commented on WTW shares. Citigroup assumed coverage on shares of Willis Towers Watson Public in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $351.00 price target on the stock. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Willis Towers Watson Public from $335.00 to $345.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Monday, August 18th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on Willis Towers Watson Public from $387.00 to $369.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, July 10th. Cantor Fitzgerald started coverage on Willis Towers Watson Public in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $355.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Barclays reduced their target price on Willis Towers Watson Public from $316.00 to $305.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $362.92.

Willis Towers Watson Public Stock Down 0.5%

Shares of WTW traded down $1.66 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $338.79. 417,870 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 451,398. The company has a market capitalization of $33.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 232.05, a PEG ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a current ratio of 1.90, a quick ratio of 1.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company has a 52 week low of $286.00 and a 52 week high of $344.14. The company's 50 day moving average is $321.58 and its two-hundred day moving average is $317.76.

Willis Towers Watson Public (NASDAQ:WTW - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 31st. The company reported $2.86 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.65 by $0.21. Willis Towers Watson Public had a net margin of 1.40% and a return on equity of 21.60%. The company had revenue of $2.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.23 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.55 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was down .2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side 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 firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.92 per share. This represents a $3.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 30th. Willis Towers Watson Public's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 252.05%.

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.