Cetera Investment Advisers Has $2.28 Million Stock Holdings in Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:WTW)

Key Points

• Cetera Investment Advisers reduced its stake in Willis Towers Watson by 35.8%, now holding shares worth approximately $2.28 million.
• Several analysts have updated their price targets for the stock, with Barclays setting a new target of $305.00 and a rating of "underweight".
• The company recently reported earnings of $2.86 EPS, exceeding expectations, alongside a quarterly dividend of $0.92 per share.

Cetera Investment Advisers lessened its stake in Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:WTW - Free Report) by 35.8% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 6,741 shares of the company's stock after selling 3,766 shares during the quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers' holdings in Willis Towers Watson Public were worth $2,278,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Wayfinding Financial LLC bought a new stake in Willis Towers Watson Public in the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC raised its stake 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 acquiring an additional 75 shares during the period. McIlrath & Eck LLC bought a new position in Willis Towers Watson Public during the 4th quarter worth $30,000. Crewe Advisors LLC bought a new position in Willis Towers Watson Public during the 1st quarter worth $32,000. Finally, GeoWealth Management LLC increased its position in Willis Towers Watson Public by 94.9% during the 4th quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC now owns 115 shares of the company's stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 56 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.09% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. Barclays lowered their price objective on Willis Towers Watson Public from $316.00 to $305.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 7th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on Willis Towers Watson Public from $373.00 to $371.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, April 11th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price objective on Willis Towers Watson Public from $371.00 to $366.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 28th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on Willis Towers Watson Public from $387.00 to $369.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Willis Towers Watson Public has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $367.11.

Willis Towers Watson Public Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ WTW traded up $2.65 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $327.85. The company had a trading volume of 829,659 shares, compared to its average volume of 741,886. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a quick ratio of 1.89 and a current ratio of 1.90. Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company has a one year low of $273.70 and a one year high of $344.14. The firm has a market cap of $31.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.23, a PEG ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 0.67. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $307.30 and its 200 day simple moving average is $316.46.

Willis Towers Watson Public (NASDAQ:WTW - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The company reported $2.86 EPS for the quarter, topping 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 for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.23 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.55 earnings per share. Willis Towers Watson Public's revenue was down .2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company will post 17.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Willis Towers Watson Public Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Investors of record on Monday, June 30th were paid a $0.92 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 30th. This represents a $3.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.1%. Willis Towers Watson Public's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 252.05%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CFO Andrew Jay Krasner sold 1,600 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $315.75, for a total value of $505,200.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 11,982 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,783,316.50. This trade represents a 11.78% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 0.32% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About Willis Towers Watson Public

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.