Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC Grows Stock Holdings in Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG)

Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC raised its position in Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG - Free Report) by 0.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 287,324 shares of the business services provider's stock after buying an additional 1,610 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC owned 0.09% of Republic Services worth $57,804,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Republic Services by 37.5% in the 4th quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 17,682 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $3,586,000 after purchasing an additional 4,827 shares during the period. DnB Asset Management AS grew its holdings in Republic Services by 65.1% during the fourth quarter. DnB Asset Management AS now owns 72,931 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $14,672,000 after purchasing an additional 28,764 shares during the period. Hickory Point Bank & Trust bought a new position in Republic Services during the fourth quarter valued at $790,000. Uniting Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in Republic Services during the fourth quarter valued at $266,000. Finally, EULAV Asset Management grew its holdings in Republic Services by 41.7% during the fourth quarter. EULAV Asset Management now owns 390,458 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $78,552,000 after purchasing an additional 115,000 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.73% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have weighed in on RSG. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on Republic Services from $232.00 to $245.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, April 25th. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of Republic Services from $240.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, April 11th. National Bank Financial raised shares of Republic Services to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, May 26th. Argus set a $260.00 price objective on shares of Republic Services in a report on Tuesday, February 18th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of Republic Services from $230.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Friday, April 25th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Republic Services presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $250.44.

Republic Services Price Performance

Shares of NYSE RSG traded up $3.17 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $257.61. 2,680,727 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,133,342. The stock has a market capitalization of $80.50 billion, a PE ratio of 39.69, a PEG ratio of 3.64 and a beta of 0.66. The company's 50 day moving average price is $244.87 and its 200 day moving average price is $227.35. Republic Services, Inc. has a 52 week low of $183.81 and a 52 week high of $257.93. The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04.

Republic Services (NYSE:RSG - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The business services provider reported $1.58 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.53 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $4.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.08 billion. Republic Services had a net margin of 12.74% and a return on equity of 18.28%. The firm's revenue was up 3.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.45 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Republic Services, Inc. will post 6.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Republic Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, July 2nd will be given a $0.58 dividend. This represents a $2.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.90%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, July 2nd. Republic Services's payout ratio is presently 34.99%.

Republic Services 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.