Novem Group Buys 2,155 Shares of Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE:WMS)

Novem Group raised its holdings in Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE:WMS - Free Report) by 36.2% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 8,111 shares of the construction company's stock after buying an additional 2,155 shares during the period. Novem Group's holdings in Advanced Drainage Systems were worth $881,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC grew its position in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 63.2% in the fourth quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 2,064,527 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $238,659,000 after purchasing an additional 799,569 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $86,185,000. First Trust Advisors LP grew its position in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 45.8% in the fourth quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 1,732,827 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $200,315,000 after purchasing an additional 544,109 shares during the last quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $46,997,000. Finally, Voloridge Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $42,160,000. Institutional investors own 89.83% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently commented on WMS shares. KeyCorp decreased their target price on Advanced Drainage Systems from $180.00 to $135.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 8th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Advanced Drainage Systems from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd. Robert W. Baird reduced their price target on Advanced Drainage Systems from $146.00 to $141.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Oppenheimer reduced their price target on Advanced Drainage Systems from $165.00 to $160.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Finally, Barclays increased their price target on Advanced Drainage Systems from $130.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, May 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Advanced Drainage Systems has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $139.88.

Advanced Drainage Systems Price Performance

Shares of WMS stock traded down $3.00 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $115.80. The company's stock had a trading volume of 607,150 shares, compared to its average volume of 628,105. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $115.18 and its 200-day simple moving average is $114.42. The company has a market capitalization of $8.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.10, a PEG ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 1.24. Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $93.92 and a fifty-two week high of $179.57. The company has a quick ratio of 2.10, a current ratio of 3.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90.

Advanced Drainage Systems (NYSE:WMS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 15th. The construction company reported $1.03 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.09 by ($0.06). The business had revenue of $615.76 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $653.22 million. Advanced Drainage Systems had a net margin of 15.50% and a return on equity of 32.33%. The company's revenue for the quarter was down 5.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.23 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. will post 6.1 earnings per share for the current year.

Advanced Drainage Systems Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 30th were issued a $0.18 dividend. This represents a $0.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.62%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 30th. This is an increase from Advanced Drainage Systems's previous quarterly dividend of $0.16. Advanced Drainage Systems's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 12.50%.

About Advanced Drainage Systems

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc designs, manufactures, and markets thermoplastic corrugated pipes and related water management products in North America and internationally. The company operates through Pipe, International, Infiltrator, and Allied Products & Other segments. It offers single, double, and triple wall corrugated polypropylene and polyethylene pipes; plastic leachfield chambers and systems; EZflow synthetic aggregate bundles; wastewater purification through mechanical aeration wastewater for residential and commercial systems; septic tanks and accessories; combined treatment and dispersal systems, including advanced enviro-septic and advanced treatment leachfield systems; and allied products, including storm retention/detention and septic chambers, polyvinyl chloride drainage structures, fittings, and water quality filters and separators.