United Capital Financial Advisors LLC Cuts Position in Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG)

United Capital Financial Advisors LLC lessened its holdings in Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG - Free Report) by 45.7% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 56,622 shares of the business services provider's stock after selling 47,607 shares during the period. United Capital Financial Advisors LLC's holdings in Republic Services were worth $11,391,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. boosted its stake in Republic Services by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. now owns 2,213 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $445,000 after purchasing an additional 48 shares during the period. Access Financial Services Inc. boosted its position in shares of Republic Services by 0.8% during the fourth quarter. Access Financial Services Inc. now owns 6,178 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $1,243,000 after acquiring an additional 51 shares during the last quarter. Tower Wealth Partners Inc. grew its stake in Republic Services by 3.3% during the fourth quarter. Tower Wealth Partners Inc. now owns 1,697 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $341,000 after acquiring an additional 54 shares in the last quarter. Umpqua Bank increased its holdings in Republic Services by 3.2% in the 4th quarter. Umpqua Bank now owns 1,808 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $374,000 after acquiring an additional 56 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fidelis Capital Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Republic Services by 3.9% during the 4th quarter. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,579 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $349,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares during the last quarter. 57.73% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Republic Services Trading Down 1.4 %

RSG stock traded down $3.33 during trading on Monday, hitting $239.95. The company had a trading volume of 274,414 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,109,603. Republic Services, Inc. has a 52-week low of $180.92 and a 52-week high of $249.73. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $235.49 and a 200-day simple moving average of $218.29. The firm has a market capitalization of $74.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.97, a PEG ratio of 3.64 and a beta of 0.62. The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04.

Republic Services (NYSE:RSG - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 13th. The business services provider reported $1.58 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.37 by $0.21. The business had revenue of $4.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.08 billion. Republic Services had a net margin of 12.74% and a return on equity of 18.28%. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.41 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts forecast that Republic Services, Inc. will post 6.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Republic Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 2nd were given a dividend of $0.58 per share. This represents a $2.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.97%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, April 2nd. Republic Services's payout ratio is 35.75%.

Insider Activity at Republic Services

In other Republic Services news, COO Gregg Brummer sold 6,293 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $228.20, for a total transaction of $1,436,062.60. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 10,416 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,376,931.20. This trade represents a 37.66 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently commented on RSG. Raymond James reiterated an "outperform" rating on shares of Republic Services in a research report on Wednesday. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on Republic Services from $235.00 to $244.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of Republic Services from $240.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, April 11th. Scotiabank lifted their price objective on shares of Republic Services from $233.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 8th. Finally, Cibc World Mkts upgraded shares of Republic Services from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Republic Services has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $239.13.

Republic Services Profile

Republic Services, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, offers environmental services in the United States and Canada. It is involved in the collection and processing of recyclable, solid waste, and industrial waste materials; transportation and disposal of non-hazardous and hazardous waste streams; and other environmental solutions.