Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG) Stock Holdings Increased by Benjamin Edwards Inc.

Key Points

• Benjamin Edwards Inc. increased its shareholding in Republic Services by 17.4%, acquiring an additional 39,710 shares, bringing its total to 267,445 shares valued at approximately $64.8 million.
• Republic Services recently raised its quarterly dividend to $0.625 per share, representing an annualized yield of 1.1%, effective October 15th.
• Analysts have a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" for Republic Services, with an average target price of $262.17 and various price target increases from firms like JPMorgan and BMO Capital Markets.

Benjamin Edwards Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG - Free Report) by 17.4% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 267,445 shares of the business services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 39,710 shares during the quarter. Republic Services makes up 0.9% of Benjamin Edwards Inc.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 19th biggest holding. Benjamin Edwards Inc. owned approximately 0.09% of Republic Services worth $64,765,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in Republic Services by 39,024.4% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,226,177 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $539,091,000 after acquiring an additional 2,220,487 shares during the period. C WorldWide Group Holding A S acquired a new stake in Republic Services during the 1st quarter worth approximately $230,013,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its position in Republic Services by 10.4% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 5,317,804 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $1,069,836,000 after acquiring an additional 499,237 shares during the period. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. lifted its position in Republic Services by 170.6% during the 4th quarter. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. now owns 584,345 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $117,559,000 after acquiring an additional 368,395 shares during the period. Finally, Balyasny Asset Management L.P. lifted its position in Republic Services by 176.8% during the 4th quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 548,255 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $110,298,000 after acquiring an additional 350,221 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.73% of the company's stock.

Republic Services Stock Down 0.7%

Shares of RSG traded down $1.59 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $231.94. 839,792 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,298,984. The company has a current ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04. Republic Services, Inc. has a 1-year low of $197.60 and a 1-year high of $258.75. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $242.86 and a 200-day moving average price of $239.63. The company has a market cap of $72.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.26, a P/E/G ratio of 3.70 and a beta of 0.60.

Republic Services (NYSE:RSG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 29th. The business services provider reported $1.77 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.01. Republic Services had a return on equity of 18.27% and a net margin of 12.97%. The business had revenue of $4.24 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.26 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.61 earnings per share. The company's revenue was up 4.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts expect that Republic Services, Inc. will post 6.86 earnings per share for the current year.

Republic Services Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, October 2nd will be issued a $0.625 dividend. This is an increase from Republic Services's previous quarterly dividend of $0.58. This represents a $2.50 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 2nd. Republic Services's dividend payout ratio is presently 34.32%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

RSG has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Republic Services from $229.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, May 23rd. Citigroup raised their price target on Republic Services from $265.00 to $278.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 29th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on Republic Services from $230.00 to $245.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Friday, April 25th. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on Republic Services from $280.00 to $284.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, UBS Group set a $260.00 price target on Republic Services and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $262.17.

Republic Services Profile

Republic Services, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, offers environmental services in the United States and Canada. It is involved in the collection and processing of recyclable, solid waste, and industrial waste materials; transportation and disposal of non-hazardous and hazardous waste streams; and other environmental solutions.