16,090 Shares in Weatherford International plc (NASDAQ:WFRD) Bought by New Age Alpha Advisors LLC

New Age Alpha Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Weatherford International plc (NASDAQ:WFRD) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 16,090 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,153,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in WFRD. Lindbrook Capital LLC lifted its holdings in Weatherford International by 130.8% in the fourth quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 360 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 204 shares during the period. Zions Bancorporation N.A. bought a new position in shares of Weatherford International in the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. R Squared Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Weatherford International in the 4th quarter valued at about $36,000. Millburn Ridgefield Corp bought a new stake in shares of Weatherford International during the 3rd quarter valued at about $42,000. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. grew its stake in Weatherford International by 643.0% during the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,278 shares of the company’s stock worth $92,000 after purchasing an additional 1,106 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.23% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Weatherford International

In other Weatherford International news, CAO Desmond J. Mills sold 19,425 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.51, for a total value of $1,311,381.75. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 17,899 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,208,361.49. This trade represents a 52.04 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Scott C. Weatherholt sold 44,505 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.17, for a total value of $2,944,895.85. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 125,019 shares in the company, valued at $8,272,507.23. The trade was a 26.25 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 92,692 shares of company stock valued at $6,207,725 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 1.60% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

WFRD has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Raymond James cut their price target on Weatherford International from $107.00 to $97.00 and set a “strong-buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of Weatherford International from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and cut their target price for the stock from $132.00 to $98.00 in a research note on Friday, December 13th. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Weatherford International from $92.00 to $85.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday. Citigroup cut their price objective on shares of Weatherford International from $110.00 to $95.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, December 20th. Finally, Benchmark decreased their target price on Weatherford International from $140.00 to $125.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Weatherford International currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $106.75.

Weatherford International Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ WFRD opened at $53.55 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $3.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.97, a PEG ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26, a quick ratio of 1.49 and a current ratio of 2.01. Weatherford International plc has a fifty-two week low of $51.24 and a fifty-two week high of $135.00. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $61.68 and its 200 day simple moving average is $74.52.

Weatherford International (NASDAQ:WFRD) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $1.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.80 by ($0.30). Weatherford International had a net margin of 9.18% and a return on equity of 40.65%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Weatherford International plc will post 5.89 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Weatherford International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 21st were paid a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 21st. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.87%. Weatherford International’s payout ratio is 14.88%.

About Weatherford International

Weatherford International plc, an energy services company, provides equipment and services for the drilling, evaluation, completion, production, and intervention of oil, geothermal, and natural gas wells worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Drilling and Evaluation; Well Construction and Completions; and Production and Intervention.