Williams Companies (NYSE:WMB) Hits New 1-Year High - Should You Buy?

Key Points

• The Williams Companies (NYSE:WMB) reached a new 52-week high of $64.07, up from a previous close of $63.31, with robust trading volume of 198,631 shares.
• Analysts have recently issued varied ratings and price targets for WMB, including upgrades from Cibc World Markets to a "strong-buy" and price targets of $66 from both BMO Capital Markets and Argus.
• Williams Companies announced a quarterly dividend of $0.50 per share, reflecting an annualized dividend of $2.00 and a yield of 3.1%, with a dividend payout ratio of 100.50%.

Williams Companies, Inc. (The) (NYSE:WMB - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as $64.03 and last traded at $64.07, with a volume of 198631 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $63.31.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have commented on WMB shares. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Williams Companies from $58.00 to $59.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Thursday, August 14th. Cibc World Mkts upgraded Williams Companies from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Friday, August 15th. TD Cowen initiated coverage on Williams Companies in a research report on Monday, July 7th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $67.00 price target for the company. BMO Capital Markets initiated coverage on Williams Companies in a report on Friday, September 19th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $66.00 target price for the company. Finally, Argus restated a "buy" rating and issued a $66.00 target price on shares of Williams Companies in a report on Thursday, August 14th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Williams Companies presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $63.07.

Williams Companies Stock Up 1.0%

The company has a market capitalization of $77.99 billion, a PE ratio of 32.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.10 and a beta of 0.65. The company has a quick ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $58.44 and a two-hundred day moving average of $58.68.

Williams Companies (NYSE:WMB - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 4th. The pipeline company reported $0.46 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.49 by ($0.03). The business had revenue of $2.78 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.90 billion. Williams Companies had a return on equity of 16.23% and a net margin of 21.63%.The business's revenue for the quarter was up 19.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.43 earnings per share. Williams Companies has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.010-2.190 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Williams Companies, Inc. will post 2.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Williams Companies Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 12th will be given a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 12th. Williams Companies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 100.50%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Williams Companies

In other news, COO Larry C. Larsen sold 4,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, August 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $58.47, for a total transaction of $263,115.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer directly owned 77,612 shares in the company, valued at $4,537,973.64. This trade represents a 5.48% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, SVP Terrance Lane Wilson sold 2,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $57.62, for a total value of $115,240.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 311,645 shares of the company's stock, valued at $17,956,984.90. This trade represents a 0.64% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 10,500 shares of company stock valued at $623,115. Company insiders own 0.44% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Williams Companies

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its holdings in Williams Companies by 40.9% in the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 13,680 shares of the pipeline company's stock valued at $740,000 after purchasing an additional 3,969 shares during the period. Ameriflex Group Inc. purchased a new position in Williams Companies in the fourth quarter worth approximately $45,000. Siemens Fonds Invest GmbH lifted its stake in Williams Companies by 45.3% in the fourth quarter. Siemens Fonds Invest GmbH now owns 22,800 shares of the pipeline company's stock worth $1,234,000 after acquiring an additional 7,113 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its position in shares of Williams Companies by 43.5% during the 4th quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 315,936 shares of the pipeline company's stock worth $17,098,000 after purchasing an additional 95,835 shares during the last quarter. Finally, 111 Capital purchased a new stake in shares of Williams Companies during the 4th quarter worth $456,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.44% of the company's stock.

About Williams Companies

The Williams Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy infrastructure company primarily in the United States. It operates through Transmission & Gulf of Mexico, Northeast G&P, West, and Gas & NGL Marketing Services segments. The Transmission & Gulf of Mexico segment comprises natural gas pipelines; Transco, Northwest pipeline, MountainWest, and related natural gas storage facilities; and natural gas gathering and processing, and crude oil production handling and transportation assets in the Gulf Coast region.

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