Cwm LLC Boosts Holdings in Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company $WTW

Key Points

• Cwm LLC increased its stake in Willis Towers Watson by 61.1% in the second quarter, owning 5,139 shares worth approximately $1.575 million.
• Willis Towers Watson announced a quarterly dividend of $0.92 per share, representing a 1.1% yield and a high dividend payout ratio of 252.05%.
• The company's stock has a current average price target of $369.42, with several analysts maintaining a "Moderate Buy" rating and various target price updates.

Cwm LLC increased its stake in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:WTW - Free Report) by 61.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 5,139 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 1,949 shares during the quarter. Cwm LLC's holdings in Willis Towers Watson Public were worth $1,575,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Bessemer Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public by 35.6% in the first quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 1,208 shares of the company's stock valued at $408,000 after acquiring an additional 317 shares during the period. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in Willis Towers Watson Public by 124.2% during the 1st quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 4,941 shares of the company's stock worth $1,670,000 after purchasing an additional 2,737 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its position in Willis Towers Watson Public by 22.6% during the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 14,108 shares of the company's stock worth $4,768,000 after purchasing an additional 2,596 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its position in Willis Towers Watson Public by 15.7% during the 1st quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 6,011 shares of the company's stock worth $2,031,000 after purchasing an additional 815 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Townsquare Capital LLC increased its stake in Willis Towers Watson Public by 33.9% in the first quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC now owns 9,196 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,108,000 after purchasing an additional 2,327 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.09% of the company's stock.

Willis Towers Watson Public Stock Up 0.7%

Willis Towers Watson Public stock opened at $330.15 on Monday. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $335.67 and its 200 day moving average price is $318.58. Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company has a 1-year low of $287.05 and a 1-year high of $352.79. The company has a market cap of $32.21 billion, a PE ratio of 226.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 1.90 and a quick ratio of 1.90.

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

Willis Towers Watson Public Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 30th were given a dividend of $0.92 per share. This represents a $3.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 30th. Willis Towers Watson Public's dividend payout ratio is presently 252.05%.

Willis Towers Watson Public declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock repurchase program on Thursday, September 18th that permits the company to buyback $1.50 billion in shares. This buyback authorization permits the company to purchase up to 4.6% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are typically an indication that the company's board believes its stock is undervalued.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

WTW has been the topic of a number of research reports. Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on Willis Towers Watson Public in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $355.00 price target on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their target price on Willis Towers Watson Public from $366.00 to $372.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, September 29th. Barclays dropped their target price on Willis Towers Watson Public from $316.00 to $305.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 7th. Piper Sandler increased their price target on Willis Towers Watson Public from $369.00 to $387.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of Willis Towers Watson Public from $395.00 to $398.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $369.42.

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.

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