WESCO International (NYSE:WCC) Sets New 12-Month High - Should You Buy?

Key Points

• WESCO International reached a new 52-week high, trading as high as $387 and closing near $381.69. The stock is up 2.9%, with its 50-day and 200-day moving averages at $352.79 and $336.60, respectively.
• Analysts remain broadly positive, with an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $394.17. Recent targets range from $390 to $440, although some firms downgraded the stock to “Hold.”
• WESCO exceeded quarterly expectations, reporting $4.57 in EPS versus a $3.98 consensus and $6.67 billion in revenue, up 13% year over year. The company also pays a $0.50 quarterly dividend, while institutional investors own 93.75% of its shares.

WESCO International, Inc. (NYSE:WCC - Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday. The stock traded as high as $387.00 and last traded at $381.6860, with a volume of 49015 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $377.09.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

WCC has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. DA Davidson started coverage on WESCO International in a research note on Tuesday, June 16th. They set a "buy" rating and a $440.00 price target for the company. Wall Street Zen lowered WESCO International from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Sunday, July 12th. Stephens raised shares of WESCO International from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $350.00 to $400.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Weiss Ratings lowered WESCO International from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "hold (c+)" rating in a report on Tuesday, September 1st. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on WESCO International from $376.00 to $390.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, WESCO International currently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $394.17.

WESCO International Stock Up 2.9%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13, a current ratio of 2.09 and a quick ratio of 1.23. The company has a market capitalization of $18.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.80, a PEG ratio of 2.28 and a beta of 1.54. The company has a 50 day moving average of $352.79 and a 200-day moving average of $336.60.

WESCO International (NYSE:WCC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The technology company reported $4.57 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $3.98 by $0.59. The company had revenue of $6.67 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.44 billion. WESCO International had a net margin of 2.84% and a return on equity of 14.95%. WESCO International's revenue was up 13.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $3.83 earnings per share. WESCO International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 16.000-17.500 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that WESCO International, Inc. will post 16.77 EPS for the current year.

WESCO International Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Friday, September 11th were paid a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, September 11th. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.5%. WESCO International's payout ratio is presently 13.82%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Laura K. Thompson sold 270 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $368.45, for a total value of $99,481.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 10,720 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,949,784. This represents a 2.46% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Akash Khurana sold 3,400 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $366.78, for a total value of $1,247,052.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 27,404 shares of the company's stock, valued at $10,051,239.12. This represents a 11.04% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 2.60% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On WESCO International

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of WCC. BlackRock Inc. bought a new stake in WESCO International during the second quarter valued at about $3,094,634,000. Bank of America Corp DE purchased a new position in shares of WESCO International in the second quarter worth about $296,304,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp acquired a new stake in WESCO International during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $249,503,000. Barrow Hanley Mewhinney & Strauss LLC acquired a new stake in WESCO International during the 2nd quarter worth about $175,189,000. Finally, Nykredit A S purchased a new position in WESCO International during the second quarter valued at approximately $154,034,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.75% of the company's stock.

WESCO International Company Profile

WESCO International, Inc is a global provider of electrical, communications, utility and supply chain solutions. Through its distribution and service operations, the company supplies products used in commercial, industrial, institutional, utility, data center, broadband and residential markets.

Its product offerings include electrical and electronic components, wire and cable, lighting and controls, network infrastructure, security and safety products, automation equipment, and general industrial supplies.

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