Cibc World Markets Corp Decreases Holdings in Willis Towers Watson Public Limited (NASDAQ:WTW)

Cibc World Markets Corp cut its holdings in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public Limited (NASDAQ:WTW) by 19.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 15,916 shares of the company’s stock after selling 3,812 shares during the quarter. Cibc World Markets Corp’s holdings in Willis Towers Watson Public were worth $4,986,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Timber Creek Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Willis Towers Watson Public by 11.4% in the 3rd quarter. Timber Creek Capital Management LLC now owns 19,099 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,625,000 after acquiring an additional 1,957 shares during the last quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in Willis Towers Watson Public by 28.3% in the 3rd quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 104,414 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,753,000 after acquiring an additional 23,001 shares during the last quarter. Atom Investors LP increased its holdings in Willis Towers Watson Public by 64.0% in the 3rd quarter. Atom Investors LP now owns 8,014 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,360,000 after acquiring an additional 3,126 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its holdings in Willis Towers Watson Public by 24.9% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 187,267 shares of the company’s stock worth $55,156,000 after acquiring an additional 37,340 shares during the last quarter. Finally, DRW Securities LLC increased its holdings in Willis Towers Watson Public by 205.6% in the 3rd quarter. DRW Securities LLC now owns 4,596 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,354,000 after acquiring an additional 3,092 shares during the last quarter. 93.09% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Willis Towers Watson Public Stock Performance

Shares of WTW opened at $334.51 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $33.35 billion, a PE ratio of -334.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a current ratio of 1.98, a quick ratio of 1.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $325.30 and a 200-day moving average price of $311.32. Willis Towers Watson Public Limited has a 12-month low of $245.04 and a 12-month high of $344.14.

Willis Towers Watson Public (NASDAQ:WTW) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The company reported $8.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $8.01 by $0.12. The firm had revenue of $3.04 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.05 billion. Willis Towers Watson Public had a positive return on equity of 20.02% and a negative net margin of 0.99%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $7.44 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Willis Towers Watson Public Limited will post 17.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Willis Towers Watson Public Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Investors of record on Monday, March 31st will be issued a dividend of $0.92 per share. This represents a $3.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.10%. This is a boost from Willis Towers Watson Public’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.88. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 31st. Willis Towers Watson Public’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -368.00%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

WTW has been the subject of several recent research reports. Raymond James raised Willis Towers Watson Public from an “outperform” rating to a “strong-buy” rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $365.00 to $400.00 in a report on Thursday, December 5th. Barclays lifted their price objective on Willis Towers Watson Public from $278.00 to $302.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a report on Thursday, November 21st. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on Willis Towers Watson Public from $380.00 to $345.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 14th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Willis Towers Watson Public from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their target price for the stock from $352.00 to $382.00 in a research note on Friday, December 20th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their target price on Willis Towers Watson Public from $378.00 to $387.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, January 10th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $346.15.

Insider Activity at Willis Towers Watson Public

In related news, insider Julie Jarecke Gebauer sold 3,384 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $335.77, for a total transaction of $1,136,245.68. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 74,417 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $24,986,996.09. This trade represents a 4.35 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Willis Towers Watson Public Company Profile

Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company operates as an advisory, broking, and solutions company worldwide. It operates through two segments: Health, Wealth & Career and Risk & Broking. The company offers strategy and design consulting, plan management service and support, broking and administration services for health, wellbeing, and other group benefit program, including medical, dental, disability, life, voluntary benefits and other coverages; actuarial support, plan design, and administrative services for pension and retirement savings plans; retirement consulting services and solutions; and integrated solutions that consists of investment discretionary management, pension administration, core actuarial, and communication and change management assistance services.