The Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE:WMB) Shares Sold by Dividend Assets Capital LLC

Dividend Assets Capital LLC reduced its position in The Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE:WMB - Free Report) by 5.4% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 108,524 shares of the pipeline company's stock after selling 6,224 shares during the quarter. Dividend Assets Capital LLC's holdings in Williams Companies were worth $6,485,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Quent Capital LLC purchased a new position in Williams Companies during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust acquired a new stake in shares of Williams Companies during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Menard Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Williams Companies during the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. Sandy Spring Bank purchased a new position in shares of Williams Companies during the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Hoey Investments Inc. acquired a new position in Williams Companies in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. 86.44% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Williams Companies Price Performance

Williams Companies stock traded up $0.67 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $60.09. 5,643,862 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,769,218. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $58.48 and its 200-day simple moving average is $57.35. The Williams Companies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $40.41 and a 1 year high of $61.67. The company has a market capitalization of $73.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.84, a P/E/G ratio of 5.01 and a beta of 0.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67, a quick ratio of 0.45 and a current ratio of 0.50.

Williams Companies (NYSE:WMB - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 5th. The pipeline company reported $0.60 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.55 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $3.05 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.90 billion. Williams Companies had a net margin of 21.17% and a return on equity of 15.85%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 10.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.59 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that The Williams Companies, Inc. will post 2.08 EPS for the current year.

Williams Companies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 13th will be issued a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 13th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.33%. Williams Companies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 106.95%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have weighed in on WMB shares. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $63.00 target price on shares of Williams Companies in a research note on Friday, May 16th. CIBC boosted their price objective on shares of Williams Companies from $56.00 to $57.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 4th. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Williams Companies from $56.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, March 21st. Scotiabank lifted their target price on shares of Williams Companies from $52.00 to $59.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a report on Thursday, June 5th. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their price target on shares of Williams Companies from $58.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, March 25th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Williams Companies currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $61.25.

Williams Companies Profile

The Williams Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy infrastructure company primarily in the United States. It operates through Transmission & Gulf of Mexico, Northeast G&P, West, and Gas & NGL Marketing Services segments. The Transmission & Gulf of Mexico segment comprises natural gas pipelines; Transco, Northwest pipeline, MountainWest, and related natural gas storage facilities; and natural gas gathering and processing, and crude oil production handling and transportation assets in the Gulf Coast region.