Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC Has $223.41 Million Stock Position in West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. $WST

Key Points

• Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC increased its stake in West Pharmaceutical Services by 57.8%, owning approximately 998,000 shares valued at $223.4 million.
• West Pharmaceutical Services announced a quarterly dividend increase to $0.22 per share, reflecting an annualized yield of 0.4% and a payout ratio of 12.57%.
• Despite a recent earnings report showing better-than-expected results, analysts maintain a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" with a target price of **$320.71**.

Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST - Free Report) by 57.8% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 997,882 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock after purchasing an additional 365,575 shares during the quarter. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC owned approximately 1.39% of West Pharmaceutical Services worth $223,406,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in WST. DAVENPORT & Co LLC grew its stake in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 103.8% during the first quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 2,230 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $499,000 after purchasing an additional 1,136 shares during the last quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. boosted its position in West Pharmaceutical Services by 34.7% in the 1st quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 5,581 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $1,249,000 after buying an additional 1,437 shares during the last quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 43.7% in the 1st quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 1,075 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $241,000 after buying an additional 327 shares during the period. Sivik Global Healthcare LLC bought a new stake in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services during the first quarter worth $2,799,000. Finally, State of Alaska Department of Revenue lifted its stake in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 2.7% during the first quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 8,486 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $1,899,000 after acquiring an additional 225 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 93.90% of the company's stock.

West Pharmaceutical Services Stock Down 0.2%

Shares of West Pharmaceutical Services stock traded down $0.37 on Thursday, reaching $245.60. 782,956 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 836,082. West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. has a one year low of $187.43 and a one year high of $352.33. The company has a current ratio of 2.78, a quick ratio of 2.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07. The company has a 50-day moving average of $233.67 and a 200 day moving average of $224.41. The company has a market capitalization of $17.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.77, a PEG ratio of 4.34 and a beta of 1.05.

West Pharmaceutical Services (NYSE:WST - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 24th. The medical instruments supplier reported $1.84 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.51 by $0.33. The business had revenue of $766.50 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $725.11 million. West Pharmaceutical Services had a return on equity of 18.43% and a net margin of 16.48%.West Pharmaceutical Services's quarterly revenue was up 9.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.52 earnings per share. West Pharmaceutical Services has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.650-6.850 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. will post 6.62 earnings per share for the current year.

West Pharmaceutical Services Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 19th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 12th will be paid a $0.22 dividend. This is a boost from West Pharmaceutical Services's previous quarterly dividend of $0.21. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, November 12th. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.4%. West Pharmaceutical Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 12.57%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have issued reports on WST shares. Evercore ISI upped their target price on shares of West Pharmaceutical Services from $275.00 to $350.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, July 25th. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of West Pharmaceutical Services from $285.00 to $320.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, July 25th. Citigroup reissued a "buy" rating on shares of West Pharmaceutical Services in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. Barclays assumed coverage on West Pharmaceutical Services in a research report on Tuesday, June 24th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $245.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised West Pharmaceutical Services from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Saturday, July 26th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $320.71.

West Pharmaceutical Services Profile

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc designs, manufactures, and sells containment and delivery systems for injectable drugs and healthcare products in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in two segments, Proprietary Products and Contract-Manufactured Products.