Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. Purchases 25,114 Shares of Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company $WTW

Key Points

• Mirae Asset Global Investments opened a new position in Willis Towers Watson, buying 25,114 shares worth approximately $7.24 million in the third quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.09% of the stock.
• Willis Towers Watson reported quarterly earnings of $3.63 per share, beating estimates of $3.59, while revenue rose 7.5% year over year to $2.46 billion.
• Analysts give WTW a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $369.94. The company also pays a quarterly dividend of $0.96 per share, equivalent to a 1.1% yield.

Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:WTW - Free Report) in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 25,114 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $7,239,000.

A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in WTW. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its stake in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public by 183.7% during the first quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 316,158 shares of the company's stock worth $91,907,000 after purchasing an additional 204,722 shares in the last quarter. Diamond Hill Capital Management LLC Investment Advisor acquired a new position in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public during the 2nd quarter worth about $32,052,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC purchased a new position in Willis Towers Watson Public in the 1st quarter valued at about $30,058,000. Hsbc Holdings PLC lifted its stake in Willis Towers Watson Public by 86.7% in the 1st quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 190,955 shares of the company's stock valued at $55,470,000 after buying an additional 88,659 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Westport Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Willis Towers Watson Public in the 2nd quarter worth about $18,096,000. 93.09% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Willis Towers Watson Public Price Performance

NASDAQ:WTW opened at $337.37 on Thursday. Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company has a one year low of $240.61 and a one year high of $351.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74, a quick ratio of 1.62 and a current ratio of 1.62. The stock has a market cap of $31.11 billion, a PE ratio of 17.41, a P/E/G ratio of 0.95 and a beta of 0.44. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $314.02 and a 200 day moving average price of $297.39.

Willis Towers Watson Public (NASDAQ:WTW - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 29th. The company reported $3.63 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $3.59 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $2.46 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.45 billion. Willis Towers Watson Public had a return on equity of 22.65% and a net margin of 15.22%. The firm's revenue was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.07 earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company will post 19.78 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Willis Towers Watson Public Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, September 30th were issued a dividend of $0.96 per share. This represents a $3.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, September 30th. Willis Towers Watson Public's payout ratio is currently 23.43%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have commented on WTW shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their target price on Willis Towers Watson Public from $381.00 to $394.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 4th. Bank of America lowered their price target on Willis Towers Watson Public from $381.00 to $365.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 12th. Barclays boosted their price target on Willis Towers Watson Public from $303.00 to $332.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 7th. TD Cowen increased their price objective on Willis Towers Watson Public from $391.00 to $455.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, August 20th. Finally, Mizuho set a $370.00 price objective on Willis Towers Watson Public in a report on Monday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $369.94.

About Willis Towers Watson Public

Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company NASDAQ: WTW is a global advisory, broking and solutions company that helps organizations manage risk, optimize benefits and improve performance. Its clients include corporations, governments, institutions and individuals across a range of industries and markets.

The company's services include insurance brokerage and risk management, reinsurance, employee benefits consulting, retirement and investment advisory, and human capital and organizational consulting.

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