Rollins (NYSE:ROL) Raised to "Buy" at StockNews.com

Rollins (NYSE:ROL - Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities research analysts at StockNews.com from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note issued on Wednesday.

Several other analysts have also recently issued reports on ROL. Royal Bank of Canada restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $52.00 target price on shares of Rollins in a report on Thursday, February 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on Rollins in a report on Tuesday, January 2nd. They issued a "buy" rating and a $49.00 target price for the company. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on Rollins in a report on Thursday, December 21st. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $42.00 target price for the company. Finally, UBS Group restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $49.00 target price on shares of Rollins in a report on Monday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $46.83.

Rollins Price Performance

NYSE ROL traded down $0.30 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $43.01. The stock had a trading volume of 1,423,294 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,894,626. The firm's 50 day moving average is $44.53 and its 200 day moving average is $41.82. Rollins has a twelve month low of $32.19 and a twelve month high of $47.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 0.71 and a quick ratio of 0.65. The stock has a market capitalization of $20.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 48.88, a PEG ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 0.63.

Rollins (NYSE:ROL - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 14th. The business services provider reported $0.21 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.21. The firm had revenue of $754.10 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $753.40 million. Rollins had a return on equity of 35.97% and a net margin of 14.15%. The firm's revenue was up 14.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.17 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Rollins will post 0.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CFO Kenneth D. Krause sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.18, for a total transaction of $230,900.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 99,078 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,575,422.04. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, CFO Kenneth D. Krause sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.18, for a total transaction of $230,900.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 99,078 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,575,422.04. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Elizabeth B. Chandler sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.05, for a total value of $410,500.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 99,709 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,093,054.45. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 22,824 shares of company stock valued at $994,558. Corporate insiders own 4.69% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Rollins

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Thrive Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Rollins in the 1st quarter valued at about $231,000. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC raised its position in Rollins by 25.5% in the 1st quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 92,069 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $4,260,000 after purchasing an additional 18,688 shares in the last quarter. Annex Advisory Services LLC raised its position in Rollins by 22.4% in the 1st quarter. Annex Advisory Services LLC now owns 179,282 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $8,295,000 after purchasing an additional 32,767 shares in the last quarter. Gateway Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in Rollins in the 1st quarter valued at about $251,000. Finally, Security Financial Services INC. acquired a new stake in Rollins in the 1st quarter valued at about $236,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 51.79% of the company's stock.

Rollins Company Profile

Rollins, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides pest and wildlife control services to residential and commercial customers in the United States and internationally. The company offers pest control services to residential properties protecting from common pests, including rodents, insects, and wildlife.

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