Hsbc Holdings PLC Reduces Position in Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company $WTW

Key Points

• Hsbc Holdings PLC reduced its stake in Willis Towers Watson by 22.9%, selling 24,312 shares for a total of 81,942 shares remaining, valued at approximately $27.57 million.
• Analysts have set a consensus price target of $362.92 for Willis Towers Watson, with varying ratings from Strong Buy to Underweight.
• Willis Towers Watson reported earnings per share of $2.86 in its last quarter, exceeding estimates of $2.65, despite a revenue decline of 0.2% year-over-year.

Hsbc Holdings PLC cut its holdings in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:WTW - Free Report) by 22.9% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 81,942 shares of the company's stock after selling 24,312 shares during the quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC owned about 0.08% of Willis Towers Watson Public worth $27,574,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of WTW. Wayfinding Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public during the 1st quarter worth $25,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public by 750.0% during the 1st quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 85 shares of the company's stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 75 shares during the period. McIlrath & Eck LLC acquired a new position in Willis Towers Watson Public during the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. Crewe Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Willis Towers Watson Public during the 1st quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, GeoWealth Management LLC lifted its stake 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 acquiring an additional 56 shares in the last quarter. 93.09% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Willis Towers Watson Public Stock Down 0.9%

Shares of NASDAQ WTW traded down $2.90 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $331.10. 201,912 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 645,555. 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 Limited Company has a twelve month low of $283.29 and a twelve month high of $344.14. The company has a market cap of $32.30 billion, a PE ratio of 226.81, a P/E/G ratio of 2.68 and a beta of 0.67. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $314.45 and its 200-day simple moving average is $317.14.

Willis Towers Watson Public (NASDAQ:WTW - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The company reported $2.86 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 business had revenue of $2.26 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.23 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.55 EPS. The business's quarterly revenue was down .2% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts predict that Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company will post 17.32 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Willis Towers Watson Public

In other 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 transaction of $505,200.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 11,982 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,783,316.50. This trade represents a 11.78% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.32% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Citigroup assumed coverage on Willis Towers Watson Public in a research note on Wednesday, August 13th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $351.00 target price on the stock. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Willis Towers Watson Public from $335.00 to $345.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Monday, August 18th. Cantor Fitzgerald assumed coverage on Willis Towers Watson Public in a research note on Wednesday, August 13th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $355.00 target price on the stock. Barclays decreased their target price on Willis Towers Watson Public from $316.00 to $305.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 7th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target 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 research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Willis Towers Watson Public has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $362.92.

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.