UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC Boosts Stock Position in Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE:WMS)

UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC grew its stake in Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE:WMS - Free Report) by 63.2% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,064,527 shares of the construction company's stock after purchasing an additional 799,569 shares during the period. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC owned approximately 2.66% of Advanced Drainage Systems worth $238,659,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. UMB Bank n.a. grew its position in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 12.7% in the fourth quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 781 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $90,000 after purchasing an additional 88 shares in the last quarter. Spire Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems in the 4th quarter valued at $94,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 18.3% during the 4th quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 884 shares of the construction company's stock worth $102,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 12.0% during the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,005 shares of the construction company's stock worth $116,000 after purchasing an additional 108 shares during the period. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC grew its holdings in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 1,298.6% during the 4th quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC now owns 1,021 shares of the construction company's stock worth $118,000 after purchasing an additional 948 shares during the period. 89.83% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Advanced Drainage Systems Price Performance

WMS opened at $111.14 on Friday. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $110.22 and its 200 day moving average price is $118.54. Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. has a 12-month low of $93.92 and a 12-month high of $179.57. The company has a current ratio of 3.21, a quick ratio of 1.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93. The firm has a market cap of $8.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.59, a PEG ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 1.31.

Advanced Drainage Systems (NYSE:WMS - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 15th. The construction company reported $1.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.09 by ($0.06). The firm had revenue of $615.76 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $653.22 million. Advanced Drainage Systems had a return on equity of 35.79% and a net margin of 15.90%. Advanced Drainage Systems's revenue was down 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.23 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. will post 6.1 earnings per share for the current year.

Advanced Drainage Systems Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 30th will be given a $0.18 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 30th. This represents a $0.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.65%. This is a positive change from Advanced Drainage Systems's previous quarterly dividend of $0.16. Advanced Drainage Systems's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 12.50%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on WMS. Oppenheimer lowered their price target on Advanced Drainage Systems from $165.00 to $160.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 16th. Stephens reiterated an "equal weight" rating and set a $135.00 price target on shares of Advanced Drainage Systems in a report on Friday, February 7th. UBS Group lowered their price target on Advanced Drainage Systems from $155.00 to $146.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 16th. Robert W. Baird lowered their price target on Advanced Drainage Systems from $146.00 to $141.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a 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 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 assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $139.88.

Advanced Drainage Systems Company Profile

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.

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