Quaero Capital S.A. Lowers Stake in Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG)

Quaero Capital S.A. lowered its stake in shares of Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG) by 17.9% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,450 shares of the business services provider’s stock after selling 750 shares during the period. Quaero Capital S.A.’s holdings in Republic Services were worth $694,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. FSA Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Republic Services during the third quarter worth $25,000. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC lifted its holdings in Republic Services by 351.6% during the third quarter. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC now owns 140 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 109 shares during the period. R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in Republic Services during the fourth quarter worth $32,000. Truvestments Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Republic Services during the third quarter worth $34,000. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new position in shares of Republic Services during the third quarter worth $39,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.73% of the company’s stock.

Republic Services Trading Up 2.9 %

RSG stock opened at $230.98 on Friday. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $210.65 and its 200-day simple moving average is $207.06. The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07. Republic Services, Inc. has a 52-week low of $177.03 and a 52-week high of $232.52. The firm has a market cap of $72.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.96, a PEG ratio of 3.24 and a beta of 0.74.

Republic Services (NYSE:RSG) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 13th. The business services provider reported $1.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.37 by $0.21. Republic Services had a net margin of 12.46% and a return on equity of 18.18%. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.41 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Republic Services, Inc. will post 6.25 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Republic Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 2nd will be paid a $0.58 dividend. This represents a $2.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.00%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 2nd. Republic Services’s dividend payout ratio is presently 37.12%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on RSG shares. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on Republic Services from $235.00 to $244.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. Truist Financial reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $250.00 price target (up from $244.00) on shares of Republic Services in a research report on Friday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised Republic Services from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and upped their price target for the stock from $219.00 to $237.00 in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. William Blair reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Republic Services in a research report on Friday. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised Republic Services from a “sector perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and upped their target price for the company from $219.00 to $237.00 in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $225.38.

Insider Activity at Republic Services

In related news, CFO Brian M. Delghiaccio sold 5,071 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.02, for a total value of $1,065,011.42. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 6,318 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,326,906.36. This trade represents a 44.53 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Katharine Weymouth sold 1,859 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $215.27, for a total transaction of $400,186.93. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 879 shares in the company, valued at $189,222.33. This represents a 67.90 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Republic Services Profile

Republic Services, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, offers environmental services in the United States and Canada. It is involved in the collection and processing of recyclable, solid waste, and industrial waste materials; transportation and disposal of non-hazardous and hazardous waste streams; and other environmental solutions.