Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company $WTW Shares Bought by BNP Paribas Financial Markets

Key Points

• BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its stake in Willis Towers Watson by 1.8%, owning 235,995 shares worth approximately $79.76 million as of the latest SEC filing.
• Willis Towers Watson recently reported earnings of $2.86 per share, exceeding expectations, and announced a dividend of $0.92 per share with a yield of 1.1%.
• Institutional investors currently hold 93.09% of Willis Towers Watson stock, with varied ratings from analysts, including a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy".

BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its position in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:WTW - Free Report) by 1.8% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 235,995 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 4,064 shares during the quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets owned about 0.24% of Willis Towers Watson Public worth $79,755,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Wayfinding Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC raised its position in Willis Towers Watson Public by 750.0% in the first quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 85 shares of the company's stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 75 shares during the period. McIlrath & Eck LLC purchased a new stake in Willis Towers Watson Public in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Crewe Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Willis Towers Watson Public in the first quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, Larson Financial Group LLC raised its position in Willis Towers Watson Public by 122.9% in the first quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 107 shares of the company's stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.09% of the company's stock.

Willis Towers Watson Public Stock Down 0.4%

Shares of WTW stock traded down $1.33 on Tuesday, reaching $325.46. 537,343 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 644,412. The company has a current ratio of 1.90, a quick ratio of 1.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. The business's 50 day moving average price is $316.71 and its 200 day moving average price is $317.29. The company has a market capitalization of $31.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 222.92, a PEG ratio of 2.60 and a beta of 0.71. Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company has a twelve month low of $283.29 and a twelve month high of $344.14.

Willis Towers Watson Public (NASDAQ:WTW - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The company reported $2.86 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.65 by $0.21. The firm had revenue of $2.26 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.23 billion. Willis Towers Watson Public had a net margin of 1.40% and a return on equity of 21.60%. The company's revenue was down .2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.55 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company will post 17.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Willis Towers Watson Public Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.92 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 30th. This represents a $3.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. Willis Towers Watson Public's payout ratio is presently 252.05%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have issued reports on WTW shares. Barclays cut their target price on Willis Towers Watson Public from $316.00 to $305.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 7th. Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on Willis Towers Watson Public in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $355.00 target price on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on Willis Towers Watson Public from $387.00 to $369.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 10th. Citigroup initiated coverage on Willis Towers Watson Public in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $351.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on Willis Towers Watson Public from $335.00 to $345.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Monday, August 18th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Willis Towers Watson Public currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $362.92.

About Willis Towers Watson Public

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.