Mirova US LLC Has $148.50 Million Stake in Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS)

Mirova US LLC decreased its holdings in Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS - Free Report) by 0.6% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 712,787 shares of the technology company's stock after selling 4,441 shares during the quarter. Watts Water Technologies comprises about 2.2% of Mirova US LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 17th biggest position. Mirova US LLC owned approximately 2.14% of Watts Water Technologies worth $148,502,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Watts Water Technologies during the fourth quarter valued at about $38,180,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its stake in Watts Water Technologies by 188.9% during the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 230,000 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $32,106,000 after purchasing an additional 150,400 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Watts Water Technologies by 161.4% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 228,077 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $31,837,000 after acquiring an additional 140,834 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. raised its stake in Watts Water Technologies by 25.2% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 691,779 shares of the technology company's stock worth $96,565,000 after acquiring an additional 139,042 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Watts Water Technologies by 4.2% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,883,746 shares of the technology company's stock worth $362,573,000 after acquiring an additional 116,455 shares during the period. 95.02% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Watts Water Technologies Price Performance

Shares of Watts Water Technologies stock traded down $2.16 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $198.11. 107,279 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 120,531. The business has a fifty day moving average of $204.55 and a two-hundred day moving average of $196.66. The company has a market capitalization of $6.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a quick ratio of 1.63, a current ratio of 2.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. Watts Water Technologies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $156.29 and a 1 year high of $219.52.

Watts Water Technologies (NYSE:WTS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 12th. The technology company reported $1.97 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.78 by $0.19. Watts Water Technologies had a net margin of 12.75% and a return on equity of 19.38%. The firm had revenue of $547.50 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $532.58 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.60 EPS. Watts Water Technologies's revenue was up 9.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts predict that Watts Water Technologies, Inc. will post 8.52 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Watts Water Technologies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 1st were given a $0.36 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 29th. This represents a $1.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.73%. Watts Water Technologies's dividend payout ratio is presently 18.41%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on WTS shares. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on shares of Watts Water Technologies from $206.00 to $209.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday. Robert W. Baird boosted their target price on shares of Watts Water Technologies from $191.00 to $208.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 14th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Watts Water Technologies has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $191.20.

Insider Transactions at Watts Water Technologies

In other Watts Water Technologies news, insider Elie Melhem sold 2,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $199.50, for a total transaction of $498,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 13,564 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,706,018. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In related news, insider Elie Melhem sold 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $199.50, for a total transaction of $498,750.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 13,564 shares in the company, valued at $2,706,018. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Michael J. Dubose sold 329 shares of Watts Water Technologies stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $197.91, for a total value of $65,112.39. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 2,392 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $473,400.72. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 5,113 shares of company stock valued at $1,023,106. Insiders own 1.10% of the company's stock.

About Watts Water Technologies

Watts Water Technologies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, supplies products and solutions that manage and conserve the flow of fluids and energy into, through, and out of buildings in the commercial, industrial, and residential markets in the Americas, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa.