Short Interest in Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:WTW) Increases By 49.6%

Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:WTW) saw a significant growth in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 3,909,211 shares, a growth of 49.6% from the December 15th total of 2,613,526 shares. Currently, 4.1% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 582,578 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 6.7 days. Based on an average trading volume of 582,578 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 6.7 days. Currently, 4.1% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have issued reports on WTW shares. Piper Sandler reduced their price objective on Willis Towers Watson Public from $387.00 to $356.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Willis Towers Watson Public from $303.00 to $318.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Mizuho assumed coverage on shares of Willis Towers Watson Public in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $386.00 price objective for the company. Evercore ISI lowered their price objective on shares of Willis Towers Watson Public from $387.00 to $383.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, Raymond James Financial reiterated a “strong-buy” rating and issued a $400.00 target price (up from $380.00) on shares of Willis Towers Watson Public in a research note on Monday, September 22nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $369.08.

Willis Towers Watson Public Price Performance

NASDAQ WTW opened at $328.49 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.69, a current ratio of 1.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. The company has a market cap of $31.45 billion, a PE ratio of 15.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 0.63. Willis Towers Watson Public has a 52 week low of $292.97 and a 52 week high of $352.79. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $325.56 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $325.75.

Willis Towers Watson Public (NASDAQ:WTW) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $3.07 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.05 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $2.29 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.28 billion. Willis Towers Watson Public had a net margin of 21.58% and a return on equity of 21.46%. The company’s revenue was up .0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.93 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that Willis Towers Watson Public will post 17.32 earnings per share for the current year.

Willis Towers Watson Public Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st were issued a $0.92 dividend. This represents a $3.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 31st. Willis Towers Watson Public’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 17.52%.

Willis Towers Watson Public declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback plan on Thursday, September 18th that authorizes the company to repurchase $1.50 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to repurchase up to 4.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are typically an indication that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Quadcap Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public by 4.8% during the second quarter. Quadcap Wealth Management LLC now owns 747 shares of the company’s stock valued at $229,000 after buying an additional 34 shares during the period. Wedmont Private Capital boosted its position in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public by 3.8% in the third 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 period. World Investment Advisors grew its stake in Willis Towers Watson Public by 4.7% during the third quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 779 shares of the company’s stock valued at $269,000 after acquiring an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB increased its holdings in Willis Towers Watson Public by 10.1% during the 2nd quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 392 shares of the company’s stock worth $120,000 after acquiring an additional 36 shares during the period. Finally, 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. Institutional investors own 93.09% of the company’s stock.

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.