Squarepoint Ops LLC Trims Stake in Willis Towers Watson Public Limited (NASDAQ:WTW)

Squarepoint Ops LLC lessened its stake in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public Limited (NASDAQ:WTW - Free Report) by 89.6% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 4,019 shares of the company's stock after selling 34,462 shares during the period. Squarepoint Ops LLC's holdings in Willis Towers Watson Public were worth $1,259,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC lifted its stake in Willis Towers Watson Public by 2.9% in the 4th quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 2,487 shares of the company's stock valued at $779,000 after purchasing an additional 70 shares during the last quarter. Brighton Jones LLC increased its stake in Willis Towers Watson Public by 4.7% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 1,368 shares of the company's stock worth $429,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares during the period. KBC Group NV raised its stake in Willis Towers Watson Public by 5.2% in the fourth quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 17,438 shares of the company's stock valued at $5,462,000 after purchasing an additional 860 shares in the last quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public by 83.5% during the 4th quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 13,811 shares of the company's stock worth $4,326,000 after acquiring an additional 6,286 shares during the period. Finally, Forsta AP Fonden lifted its stake in Willis Towers Watson Public by 14.5% during the fourth quarter. Forsta AP Fonden now owns 26,800 shares of the company's stock worth $8,395,000 after purchasing an additional 3,400 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.09% of the company's stock.

Willis Towers Watson Public Stock Down 1.4%

Shares of WTW traded down $4.35 on Wednesday, reaching $309.43. The stock had a trading volume of 463,119 shares, compared to its average volume of 585,673. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 1.72 and a current ratio of 1.98. Willis Towers Watson Public Limited has a 12-month low of $252.22 and a 12-month high of $344.14. The firm has a market capitalization of $30.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -309.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $313.87 and a 200-day simple moving average of $319.20.

Willis Towers Watson Public (NASDAQ:WTW - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The company reported $3.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.27 by ($0.14). The company had revenue of $2.22 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.29 billion. Willis Towers Watson Public had a negative net margin of 0.99% and a positive return on equity of 20.02%. Willis Towers Watson Public's revenue was down 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $3.13 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Willis Towers Watson Public Limited will post 17.32 EPS for the current year.

Willis Towers Watson Public Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.92 per share. This represents a $3.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.19%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 30th. Willis Towers Watson Public's dividend payout ratio is currently -736.00%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. UBS Group raised shares of Willis Towers Watson Public from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and lifted their price target for the company from $344.00 to $395.00 in a report on Tuesday, March 18th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their target price on Willis Towers Watson Public from $371.00 to $366.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 28th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on Willis Towers Watson Public from $373.00 to $371.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, April 11th. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Willis Towers Watson Public from $302.00 to $316.00 and gave the company an "underweight" rating in a research report on Friday, April 11th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold 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 company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $356.30.

Willis Towers Watson Public Company 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.