Republic Services (NYSE:RSG) Stock Rating Upgraded by Cibc World Mkts

Republic Services (NYSE:RSG) was upgraded by stock analysts at Cibc World Mkts from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report released on Tuesday,Zacks.com reports.

RSG has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Republic Services from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and upped their target price for the company from $219.00 to $237.00 in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on Republic Services from $239.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on Republic Services from $220.00 to $230.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, February 14th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on Republic Services from $235.00 to $244.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of Republic Services from $212.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 19th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Republic Services has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $236.88.

Republic Services Stock Performance

Shares of Republic Services stock opened at $235.66 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.58, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04. Republic Services has a 12 month low of $180.91 and a 12 month high of $240.95. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $217.74 and its 200-day moving average price is $210.45. The firm has a market cap of $73.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.31, a P/E/G ratio of 3.64 and a beta of 0.74.

Republic Services (NYSE:RSG) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 13th. The business services provider reported $1.58 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.37 by $0.21. Republic Services had a return on equity of 18.28% and a net margin of 12.74%. The company had revenue of $4.05 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.08 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.41 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that Republic Services will post 6.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Republic Services

In other news, COO Gregg Brummer sold 6,293 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $228.20, for a total value of $1,436,062.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 10,416 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,376,931.20. This trade represents a 37.66 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.09% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Republic Services

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in RSG. Silvercrest Asset Management Group LLC lifted its stake in Republic Services by 0.5% during the fourth quarter. Silvercrest Asset Management Group LLC now owns 8,648 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $1,740,000 after purchasing an additional 46 shares during the last quarter. McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. increased its stake in Republic Services by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. now owns 2,213 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $445,000 after buying an additional 48 shares during the period. FORA Capital LLC lifted its stake in shares of Republic Services by 0.7% in the 4th quarter. FORA Capital LLC now owns 7,659 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $1,541,000 after acquiring an additional 50 shares during the period. Simmons Bank increased its stake in shares of Republic Services by 2.8% during the third quarter. Simmons Bank now owns 1,895 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $381,000 after acquiring an additional 51 shares during the period. Finally, Access Financial Services Inc. raised its holdings in Republic Services by 0.8% during the fourth quarter. Access Financial Services Inc. now owns 6,178 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $1,243,000 after purchasing an additional 51 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.73% of the company’s stock.

About Republic Services

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.