Jefferies Financial Group Inc. Takes $246,000 Position in Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG)

Jefferies Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 1,221 shares of the business services provider's stock, valued at approximately $246,000.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of Republic Services by 37.5% during the fourth quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 17,682 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $3,586,000 after purchasing an additional 4,827 shares during the period. DnB Asset Management AS increased its holdings in shares of Republic Services by 65.1% during the fourth quarter. DnB Asset Management AS now owns 72,931 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $14,672,000 after purchasing an additional 28,764 shares during the period. Avanza Fonder AB acquired a new position in shares of Republic Services during the fourth quarter valued at $4,430,000. Hickory Point Bank & Trust bought a new position in Republic Services during the fourth quarter valued at about $790,000. Finally, Uniting Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in Republic Services during the fourth quarter valued at about $266,000. 57.73% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Transactions at Republic Services

In related news, COO Gregg Brummer sold 6,293 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $228.20, for a total value of $1,436,062.60. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 10,416 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,376,931.20. The trade was a 37.66% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 0.11% of the company's stock.

Republic Services Trading Up 1.1%

Shares of NYSE RSG opened at $247.69 on Friday. Republic Services, Inc. has a one year low of $180.92 and a one year high of $253.54. The firm has a market capitalization of $77.40 billion, a PE ratio of 38.17, a PEG ratio of 3.64 and a beta of 0.66. The company has a current ratio of 0.58, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $241.00 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $224.10.

Republic Services (NYSE:RSG - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The business services provider reported $1.58 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.53 by $0.05. Republic Services had a return on equity of 18.28% and a net margin of 12.74%. The company had revenue of $4.01 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.08 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.45 EPS. The business's quarterly revenue was up 3.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts predict that Republic Services, Inc. will post 6.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Republic Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, July 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.58 per share. This represents a $2.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.94%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 2nd. Republic Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 34.99%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently weighed in on RSG shares. UBS Group raised their target price on Republic Services from $240.00 to $250.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, April 11th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on Republic Services from $235.00 to $244.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, January 23rd. Seaport Res Ptn raised Republic Services to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Republic Services from $230.00 to $245.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Robert W. Baird increased their price target on Republic Services from $232.00 to $245.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Republic Services has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $249.00.

Republic Services Company Profile

Republic Services, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, offers environmental services in the United States and Canada. It is involved in the collection and processing of recyclable, solid waste, and industrial waste materials; transportation and disposal of non-hazardous and hazardous waste streams; and other environmental solutions.

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