PNC Financial Services Group Inc. Raises Stake in Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:WTW)

Key Points

• PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its stake in Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company by 22.6%, owning 14,108 shares valued at approximately $4.77 million as of its latest filing.
• Willis Towers Watson recently reported $2.86 earnings per share for the quarter, exceeding analysts' expectations, while its quarterly revenue was slightly down compared to the previous year.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.92 per share, with an annualized yield of 1.1% and a notably high payout ratio of 252.05%.

PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its holdings in Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:WTW - Free Report) by 22.6% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 14,108 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 2,596 shares during the quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc.'s holdings in Willis Towers Watson Public were worth $4,768,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in WTW. Wayfinding Financial LLC acquired a new position in Willis Towers Watson Public in the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC lifted its position in 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 acquiring an additional 75 shares during the period. Crewe Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $32,000. McIlrath & Eck LLC purchased a new position in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, Larson Financial Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public by 122.9% in the first quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 107 shares of the company's stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares during the period. 93.09% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CFO Andrew Jay Krasner sold 1,600 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $315.75, for a total value of $505,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 11,982 shares in the company, valued at $3,783,316.50. This trade represents a 11.78% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.32% of the company's stock.

Willis Towers Watson Public Stock Performance

Shares of WTW opened at $325.54 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.89, a current ratio of 1.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company has a 52-week low of $271.01 and a 52-week high of $344.14. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $306.58 and a 200-day simple moving average of $316.36. The company has a market capitalization of $31.76 billion, a PE ratio of 222.97, a P/E/G ratio of 2.78 and a beta of 0.67.

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 (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.65 by $0.21. Willis Towers Watson Public had a net margin of 1.40% and a return on equity of 21.60%. The company had revenue of $2.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.23 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.55 earnings per share. The firm's quarterly revenue was down .2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company will post 17.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Willis Towers Watson Public Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 30th were given a dividend of $0.92 per share. This represents a $3.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 30th. Willis Towers Watson Public's payout ratio is presently 252.05%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on WTW shares. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price target on Willis Towers Watson Public from $373.00 to $371.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 11th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Willis Towers Watson Public from $387.00 to $369.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, July 10th. Barclays dropped their price target on shares of 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, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price objective on shares of Willis Towers Watson Public from $371.00 to $366.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 28th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $367.11.

Willis Towers Watson Public Profile

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.

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