SG Americas Securities LLC Increases Stock Position in West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST)

SG Americas Securities LLC raised its holdings in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST - Free Report) by 322.8% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 3,353 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock after acquiring an additional 2,560 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC's holdings in West Pharmaceutical Services were worth $751,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of WST. CIBC Asset Management Inc grew its holdings in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 4.5% in the fourth quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 11,058 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $3,622,000 after purchasing an additional 477 shares during the last quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund grew its holdings in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 0.8% in the fourth quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 94,982 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $31,112,000 after purchasing an additional 767 shares during the last quarter. Ieq Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services in the fourth quarter worth approximately $231,000. Handelsbanken Fonder AB grew its holdings in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 9.7% in the fourth quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 55,679 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $18,238,000 after purchasing an additional 4,940 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cromwell Holdings LLC grew its holdings in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 56.1% in the fourth quarter. Cromwell Holdings LLC now owns 231 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $76,000 after purchasing an additional 83 shares during the last quarter. 93.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

West Pharmaceutical Services Trading Down 0.8%

NYSE:WST traded down $1.85 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $216.11. The company had a trading volume of 858,025 shares, compared to its average volume of 728,906. The company has a market capitalization of $15.53 billion, a PE ratio of 33.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.31 and a beta of 1.09. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $213.74 and a 200 day moving average price of $256.53. West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. has a 52 week low of $187.43 and a 52 week high of $352.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 2.77 and a quick ratio of 2.03.

West Pharmaceutical Services (NYSE:WST - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 24th. The medical instruments supplier reported $1.45 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.22 by $0.23. The business had revenue of $698.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $685.24 million. West Pharmaceutical Services had a return on equity of 18.23% and a net margin of 16.13%. The company's revenue for the quarter was up .4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.56 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. will post 6.62 EPS for the current fiscal year.

West Pharmaceutical Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 6th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, July 30th will be given a dividend of $0.21 per share. This represents a $0.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.39%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, July 30th. West Pharmaceutical Services's dividend payout ratio is currently 13.19%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Wall Street Zen cut shares of West Pharmaceutical Services from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Stephens upgraded shares of West Pharmaceutical Services to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, April 21st. Citigroup reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of West Pharmaceutical Services in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. Finally, Evercore ISI began coverage on shares of West Pharmaceutical Services in a report on Tuesday, March 18th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $275.00 price target on the stock. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $332.50.

West Pharmaceutical Services Company 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.