Mizuho Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for Willis Towers Watson Public (NASDAQ:WTW) Stock

Willis Towers Watson Public (NASDAQ:WTW) had its price objective increased by equities research analysts at Mizuho from $370.00 to $384.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an “outperform” rating on the stock. Mizuho‘s price target indicates a potential upside of 14.03% from the company’s current price.

A number of other research firms have also recently commented on WTW. Barclays lifted their target price on Willis Towers Watson Public from $303.00 to $332.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 7th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on Willis Towers Watson Public from $364.00 to $360.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 2nd. TD Cowen raised their price target on Willis Towers Watson Public from $391.00 to $455.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 20th. Bank of America cut their price target on Willis Towers Watson Public from $381.00 to $365.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 12th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on Willis Towers Watson Public from $365.00 to $332.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 1st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $370.89.

Willis Towers Watson Public Stock Up 2.4%

WTW stock traded up $7.96 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $336.74. 105,675 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 670,906. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74, a quick ratio of 1.62 and a current ratio of 1.62. Willis Towers Watson Public has a 1-year low of $240.61 and a 1-year high of $351.51. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $313.04 and its 200 day simple moving average is $297.64. The company has a market cap of $31.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 0.44.

Willis Towers Watson Public (NASDAQ:WTW) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 29th. The company reported $3.63 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.59 by $0.04. Willis Towers Watson Public had a net margin of 15.22% and a return on equity of 22.65%. The business had revenue of $2.46 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.45 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.07 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that Willis Towers Watson Public will post 19.80 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of WTW. Raiffeisen Bank International AG lifted its holdings in Willis Towers Watson Public by 37.8% in the second quarter. Raiffeisen Bank International AG now owns 124 shares of the company’s stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 34 shares during the period. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public by 3.3% during the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,056 shares of the company’s stock worth $304,000 after purchasing an additional 34 shares in the last quarter. Ascent Group LLC boosted its position in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public by 3.4% during the 3rd quarter. Ascent Group LLC now owns 1,081 shares of the company’s stock worth $312,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares in the last quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. grew its stake in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public by 4.1% during the 3rd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 932 shares of the company’s stock worth $269,000 after purchasing an additional 37 shares during the period. Finally, Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. grew its stake in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. now owns 3,064 shares of the company’s stock worth $801,000 after purchasing an additional 38 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.09% of the company’s stock.

About Willis Towers Watson Public

Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company, which operates under the WTW name, is a global advisory, broking and solutions firm. It helps organizations manage risk, improve employee benefits and support workforce and business performance. WTW’s services include insurance and risk brokerage, risk management advice, retirement and investment consulting, health and benefits solutions, and guidance on talent, rewards and organizational strategy. It serves businesses, public-sector organizations and individuals across a range of industries.