Jefferies Financial Group Inc. Grows Position in Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company $WTW

Jefferies Financial Group Inc. grew its holdings in Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:WTW) by 355.3% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 9,474 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 7,393 shares during the period. Jefferies Financial Group Inc.’s holdings in Willis Towers Watson Public were worth $3,273,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Quadcap Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in Willis Towers Watson Public by 4.8% during the second quarter. Quadcap Wealth Management LLC now owns 747 shares of the company’s stock worth $229,000 after acquiring an additional 34 shares during the last quarter. Wedmont Private Capital raised its holdings in Willis Towers Watson Public by 3.8% in the 3rd quarter. Wedmont Private Capital now owns 919 shares of the company’s stock valued at $322,000 after acquiring an additional 34 shares during the last quarter. World Investment Advisors lifted its stake in Willis Towers Watson Public by 4.7% in the 3rd quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 779 shares of the company’s stock worth $269,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. Ethic Inc. lifted its stake in Willis Towers Watson Public by 0.3% in the 3rd quarter. Ethic Inc. now owns 14,050 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,853,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Gateway Investment Advisers LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public by 1.7% during the 3rd quarter. Gateway Investment Advisers LLC now owns 2,284 shares of the company’s stock worth $789,000 after purchasing an additional 38 shares during the last quarter. 93.09% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Willis Towers Watson Public Trading Down 1.8%

Shares of WTW stock opened at $289.26 on Wednesday. Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company has a 1-year low of $275.60 and a 1-year high of $352.79. The firm has a market cap of $27.35 billion, a PE ratio of 17.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 0.62. The company has a 50-day moving average of $313.03 and a two-hundred day moving average of $323.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 2.21 and a quick ratio of 2.21.

Willis Towers Watson Public (NASDAQ:WTW) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The company reported $8.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $7.93 by $0.19. The business had revenue of $2.94 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.87 billion. Willis Towers Watson Public had a net margin of 16.53% and a return on equity of 20.91%. The business’s revenue was down 3.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $8.13 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company will post 17.32 EPS for the current year.

Willis Towers Watson Public Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.96 per share. This represents a $3.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.3%. This is a positive change from Willis Towers Watson Public’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.92. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 31st. Willis Towers Watson Public’s payout ratio is currently 22.47%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on WTW. Citigroup upped their price target on Willis Towers Watson Public from $351.00 to $366.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, February 9th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Willis Towers Watson Public from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, February 7th. Cantor Fitzgerald dropped their target price on Willis Towers Watson Public from $365.00 to $345.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Willis Towers Watson Public from $366.00 to $379.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Finally, Piper Sandler reduced their price target on Willis Towers Watson Public from $365.00 to $341.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, February 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $371.50.

Willis Towers Watson Public Company Profile

Willis Towers Watson Public (NASDAQ: WTW) is a global advisory, broking and solutions company that helps organizations manage risk, optimize benefits and cultivate talent. The firm combines insurance brokerage and risk management capabilities with human capital and benefits consulting, actuarial and analytics services, and technology-enabled solutions. Willis Towers Watson serves a broad client base that includes multinational and mid-sized corporations, public sector organizations, insurers and investment managers.

The company’s core activities encompass commercial and reinsurance brokerage, risk transfer and risk-financing advice, and claims advocacy, alongside employee benefits and retirement consulting.