Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC Takes $1.92 Million Position in Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS)

Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC purchased a new position in shares of Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 9,425 shares of the technology company's stock, valued at approximately $1,916,000.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of WTS. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its holdings in Watts Water Technologies by 4.8% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 267,439 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $55,411,000 after purchasing an additional 12,159 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Watts Water Technologies by 1.0% during the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 319,703 shares of the technology company's stock worth $64,996,000 after buying an additional 3,296 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in Watts Water Technologies by 13.9% in the fourth quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 71,608 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $14,558,000 after acquiring an additional 8,728 shares in the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp grew its holdings in Watts Water Technologies by 35.2% during the 4th quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 23,507 shares of the technology company's stock worth $4,779,000 after acquiring an additional 6,125 shares in the last quarter. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC raised its holdings in shares of Watts Water Technologies by 264.1% in the 4th quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 6,080 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $1,236,000 after purchasing an additional 4,410 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.02% of the company's stock.

Watts Water Technologies Stock Performance

Watts Water Technologies stock traded down $1.08 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $212.59. 15,912 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 168,967. The firm has a market cap of $7.08 billion, a PE ratio of 24.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a quick ratio of 1.65 and a current ratio of 2.59. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $204.36 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $207.14. Watts Water Technologies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $175.37 and a twelve month high of $232.60.

Watts Water Technologies (NYSE:WTS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, February 10th. The technology company reported $2.05 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.91 by $0.14. Watts Water Technologies had a net margin of 12.93% and a return on equity of 18.08%. Equities analysts predict that Watts Water Technologies, Inc. will post 9.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Watts Water Technologies Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 30th will be issued a $0.52 dividend. This represents a $2.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.98%. This is a boost from Watts Water Technologies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.43. Watts Water Technologies's dividend payout ratio is currently 19.79%.

Insider Transactions at Watts Water Technologies

In related news, insider Elie Melhem sold 4,397 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.53, for a total value of $925,700.41. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 10,469 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,204,038.57. This represents a 29.58 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 1.00% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

WTS has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus raised Watts Water Technologies from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and raised their target price for the stock from $219.00 to $229.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on shares of Watts Water Technologies from $197.00 to $217.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Watts Water Technologies currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $222.00.

Watts Water Technologies Profile

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.