Villere ST Denis J & Co. LLC Buys 19,420 Shares of Republic Services, Inc. $RSG

Key Points

• Villere ST Denis J & Co. LLC increased its stake in Republic Services by 31.5%, acquiring an additional 19,420 shares, bringing its total holdings to 81,012 shares worth nearly $20 million.
• Republic Services announced a quarterly dividend increase to $0.625 per share, which represents an annualized dividend of $2.50 and a yield of 1.1%.
• Analysts have mixed ratings on Republic Services, with price targets ranging from $240.00 to $284.00, reflecting a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy."

Villere ST Denis J & Co. LLC grew its stake in shares of Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG - Free Report) by 31.5% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 81,012 shares of the business services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 19,420 shares during the period. Villere ST Denis J & Co. LLC's holdings in Republic Services were worth $19,978,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Aberdeen Group plc grew its position in shares of Republic Services by 5.8% during the 2nd quarter. Aberdeen Group plc now owns 122,299 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $29,963,000 after acquiring an additional 6,701 shares during the period. Lmcg Investments LLC grew its position in shares of Republic Services by 1.5% during the 2nd quarter. Lmcg Investments LLC now owns 15,565 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $3,838,000 after acquiring an additional 225 shares during the period. PDS Planning Inc grew its position in shares of Republic Services by 5.5% during the 2nd quarter. PDS Planning Inc now owns 1,678 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $414,000 after acquiring an additional 88 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc. grew its position in shares of Republic Services by 6.5% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 4,304 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $1,061,000 after acquiring an additional 263 shares during the period. Finally, M. Kraus & Co bought a new position in shares of Republic Services during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $592,000. 57.73% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Republic Services Stock Performance

NYSE RSG opened at $225.16 on Friday. Republic Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $197.60 and a 1 year high of $258.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 0.66 and a quick ratio of 0.66. The stock has a market capitalization of $70.30 billion, a PE ratio of 33.31, a P/E/G ratio of 3.58 and a beta of 0.59. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $230.18 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $239.80.

Republic Services (NYSE:RSG - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 29th. The business services provider reported $1.77 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.01. Republic Services had a net margin of 12.97% and a return on equity of 18.27%. The business had revenue of $4.24 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.26 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.61 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 4.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Republic Services has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.820-6.900 EPS. Analysts predict that Republic Services, Inc. will post 6.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Republic Services Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 2nd will be paid a $0.625 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 2nd. This represents a $2.50 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.1%. This is a boost from Republic Services's previous quarterly dividend of $0.58. Republic Services's dividend payout ratio is currently 36.98%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently commented on RSG shares. Raymond James Financial set a $260.00 price objective on shares of Republic Services and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday. Citigroup cut their price objective on shares of Republic Services from $280.00 to $270.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, September 17th. BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on shares of Republic Services from $280.00 to $284.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Barclays started coverage on shares of Republic Services in a report on Friday, September 19th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $240.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Scotiabank set a $250.00 price objective on shares of Republic Services in a report on Friday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and ten have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $258.85.

Insider Buying and Selling at Republic Services

In other news, EVP Gregg Brummer sold 7,338 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, August 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $233.94, for a total transaction of $1,716,651.72. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 4,060 shares in the company, valued at approximately $949,796.40. This trade represents a 64.38% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, major shareholder Cascade Investment, L.L.C. acquired 4,258 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 19th. The shares were bought at an average price of $234.91 per share, for a total transaction of $1,000,246.78. Following the transaction, the insider owned 109,816,832 shares in the company, valued at approximately $25,797,072,005.12. This represents a 0.00% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Company insiders own 0.11% of the company's stock.

Republic Services Company Profile

Republic Services, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, offers environmental services in the United States and Canada. It is involved in the collection and processing of recyclable, solid waste, and industrial waste materials; transportation and disposal of non-hazardous and hazardous waste streams; and other environmental solutions.

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