Empirical Finance LLC Sells 86 Shares of Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG)

Empirical Finance LLC lowered its stake in Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG) by 1.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 7,028 shares of the business services provider’s stock after selling 86 shares during the quarter. Empirical Finance LLC’s holdings in Republic Services were worth $1,414,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. FSA Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Republic Services in the third quarter worth about $25,000. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC boosted its position in shares of Republic Services by 351.6% during the 3rd quarter. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC now owns 140 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 109 shares during the last quarter. Webster Bank N. A. purchased a new position in shares of Republic Services in the third quarter valued at $31,000. R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in Republic Services during the fourth quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, Truvestments Capital LLC bought a new position in Republic Services during the third quarter valued at $34,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.73% of the company’s stock.

Republic Services Stock Performance

Republic Services stock opened at $220.91 on Monday. Republic Services, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $171.06 and a fifty-two week high of $222.65. The company has a market capitalization of $69.18 billion, a PE ratio of 35.35, a P/E/G ratio of 3.24 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $210.01 and a 200-day moving average price of $206.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a current ratio of 0.64.

Republic Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.58 per share. This represents a $2.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.05%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 2nd. Republic Services’s payout ratio is 37.12%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on RSG. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on shares of Republic Services from $235.00 to $244.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. Oppenheimer upped their price objective on Republic Services from $219.00 to $220.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Republic Services from $217.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Republic Services from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and increased their price target for the company from $219.00 to $237.00 in a report on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upgraded shares of Republic Services from a “sector perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and boosted their price objective 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 given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $224.38.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Katharine Weymouth sold 1,859 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $215.27, for a total value of $400,186.93. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 879 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $189,222.33. The trade was a 67.90 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Brian M. Delghiaccio sold 5,071 shares of the stock in a transaction on 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 sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 6,318 shares in the company, valued at $1,326,906.36. This trade represents a 44.53 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.09% of the company’s stock.

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.