Benjamin Edwards Inc. Sells 33,660 Shares of Republic Services, Inc. $RSG

Key Points

• Benjamin Edwards Inc. reduced its Republic Services stake by 13.6%, selling 33,660 shares in the second quarter and retaining 213,423 shares valued at approximately $45.5 million. Overall, institutional investors own 57.73% of RSG.
• Republic Services reported quarterly EPS of $1.85, beating estimates by $0.04, while revenue rose 4.6% year over year to $4.43 billion. The company also raised its quarterly dividend to $0.67, equivalent to a 1.2% annual yield.
• Analyst sentiment remains positive, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $245.26 versus the recent price of $222.24. However, the stock trades at a premium valuation of about 31 times earnings, while major shareholder Cascade Investment continued buying shares.

Benjamin Edwards Inc. decreased its position in shares of Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG - Free Report) by 13.6% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 213,423 shares of the business services provider's stock after selling 33,660 shares during the period. Benjamin Edwards Inc. owned approximately 0.07% of Republic Services worth $45,487,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. BlackRock Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Republic Services in the second quarter valued at $3,798,092,000. State Street Corp lifted its position in Republic Services by 1.7% during the fourth quarter. State Street Corp now owns 9,695,747 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $2,054,820,000 after purchasing an additional 166,474 shares during the last quarter. Capital World Investors grew its stake in shares of Republic Services by 27.7% in the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 8,765,623 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $1,857,698,000 after buying an additional 1,899,183 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley grew its stake in shares of Republic Services by 38.6% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 5,348,501 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $1,133,509,000 after buying an additional 1,490,719 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in shares of Republic Services by 18.9% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 5,070,130 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $1,074,513,000 after buying an additional 807,525 shares in the last quarter. 57.73% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Republic Services Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:RSG opened at $222.24 on Friday. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $216.42 and its 200-day simple moving average is $215.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a current ratio of 0.64. Republic Services, Inc. has a one year low of $196.41 and a one year high of $235.18. The firm has a market cap of $68.05 billion, a PE ratio of 31.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.68 and a beta of 0.40.

Republic Services (NYSE:RSG - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 6th. The business services provider reported $1.85 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.81 by $0.04. Republic Services had a return on equity of 18.69% and a net margin of 12.94%.The company had revenue of $4.43 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.36 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.77 earnings per share. Republic Services's revenue was up 4.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Republic Services has set its FY 2026 guidance at 7.230-7.280 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Republic Services, Inc. will post 7.27 EPS for the current year.

Republic Services Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 15th. Investors of record on Friday, October 2nd will be paid a $0.67 dividend. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.2%. This is a boost from Republic Services's previous quarterly dividend of $0.62. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 2nd. Republic Services's payout ratio is currently 35.41%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price objective on Republic Services from $265.00 to $267.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, May 8th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Republic Services from a "hold (c+)" rating to a "buy (b-)" rating in a research report on Friday, August 21st. Argus cut shares of Republic Services from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, May 11th. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce reissued an "outperform" rating and issued a $249.00 price objective on shares of Republic Services in a research report on Friday, May 8th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $232.00 price objective on shares of Republic Services in a research note on Friday, August 7th. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Republic Services presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $245.26.

Insider Buying and Selling at Republic Services

In other Republic Services news, major shareholder Cascade Investment, L.L.C. acquired 284,600 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 27th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $219.52 per share, with a total value of $62,475,392.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider directly owned 113,935,127 shares in the company, valued at $25,011,039,079.04. This represents a 0.25% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Over the last three months, insiders have purchased 3,131,145 shares of company stock valued at $685,244,030. 0.12% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Trending Headlines about Republic Services

Here are the key news stories impacting Republic Services this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Cascade Investment continued its aggressive accumulation of RSG. The major shareholder purchased 284,600 shares on August 27 for approximately $62.5 million and 275,500 shares on August 26 for about $61.0 million. These purchases followed a $59.8 million acquisition on August 25 and a series of additional open-market buys. Recent disclosures indicate Cascade has bought more than 3.5 million shares worth approximately $764 million over six months, a potential signal of long-term confidence in Republic Services. Major Investment Powerhouse Makes Massive New Move Into Republic Services Stock
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst sentiment remains constructive. Republic Services carries a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating, with 12 Buy ratings and 10 Holds. The average price target is approximately $245, above recent trading levels, while Citigroup and RBC Capital Markets have set targets of $259 and $267, respectively. Republic Services Receives Consensus Rating of Moderate Buy
• Positive Sentiment: The dividend was raised. Republic Services increased its quarterly dividend to $0.67 from $0.62, equivalent to $2.68 annually and a yield of about 1.2%. The increase reinforces the company’s shareholder-return profile.
• Neutral Sentiment: Recent coverage also highlighted Republic Services as a participant in the broader circular-economy and recycling investment theme. The company’s latest quarter included revenue growth of 4.6% and an EPS beat, but those results were reported earlier and are likely already reflected in the valuation.
• Negative Sentiment: At roughly 31 times earnings and a PEG ratio above 3.5, RSG is priced at a premium. Some institutional investors reduced holdings recently, and UBS maintains a neutral rating, limiting the potential impact of the bullish signals.

Republic Services Profile

Republic Services, Inc is a leading provider of non-hazardous solid waste and recycling services in the United States. The company offers a broad range of waste management solutions to residential, commercial, industrial and municipal customers, positioning itself as a full-service partner for everyday waste collection as well as specialized disposal needs.

Republic's core operations include curbside and commercial collection, transfer and hauling, materials recovery and recycling facilities, and landfill disposal.

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