Wells Fargo & Company Issues Pessimistic Forecast for Willis Towers Watson Public (NASDAQ:WTW) Stock Price

Willis Towers Watson Public (NASDAQ:WTW) had its target price cut by research analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $362.00 to $356.00 in a note issued to investors on Friday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an “overweight” rating on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company‘s price target suggests a potential upside of 8.89% from the company’s previous close.

WTW has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price objective on Willis Towers Watson Public from $373.00 to $375.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday. Wolfe Research upgraded Willis Towers Watson Public to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, September 15th. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Willis Towers Watson Public from $395.00 to $398.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of Willis Towers Watson Public from $341.00 to $303.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, Raymond James Financial restated a “strong-buy” rating and set a $400.00 target price (up previously from $380.00) on shares of Willis Towers Watson Public in a research report on Monday, September 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $365.67.

Willis Towers Watson Public Trading Up 0.4%

Willis Towers Watson Public stock opened at $326.93 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.69, a quick ratio of 1.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. Willis Towers Watson Public has a 12-month low of $292.97 and a 12-month high of $352.79. The firm has a market capitalization of $31.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.56, a P/E/G ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 0.63. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $325.06 and a 200 day moving average of $321.32.

Willis Towers Watson Public (NASDAQ:WTW) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $3.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.05 by $0.02. Willis Towers Watson Public had a net margin of 21.58% and a return on equity of 21.46%. The firm had revenue of $2.29 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.28 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.93 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up .0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that Willis Towers Watson Public will post 17.32 earnings per share for the current year.

Willis Towers Watson Public announced that its board has authorized a stock buyback plan on Thursday, September 18th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.50 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the company to reacquire up to 4.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are generally a sign that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Willis Towers Watson Public

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Quadcap Wealth Management LLC raised its position in Willis Towers Watson Public by 4.8% in the 2nd quarter. Quadcap Wealth Management LLC now owns 747 shares of the company’s stock worth $229,000 after purchasing an additional 34 shares during the period. Wedmont Private Capital raised its holdings in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public by 3.8% in the third quarter. Wedmont Private Capital now owns 919 shares of the company’s stock worth $322,000 after buying an additional 34 shares during the period. World Investment Advisors increased its stake in Willis Towers Watson Public by 4.7% in the third quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 779 shares of the company’s stock worth $269,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the period. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB lifted its position in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public by 10.1% during the second quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 392 shares of the company’s stock worth $120,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ethic Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public by 0.3% during the third quarter. Ethic Inc. now owns 14,050 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,853,000 after purchasing an additional 36 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 operates as an advisory, broking, and solutions company worldwide. It operates through two segments: Health, Wealth & Career and Risk & Broking. The company offers strategy and design consulting, plan management service and support, broking and administration services for health, wellbeing, and other group benefit program, including medical, dental, disability, life, voluntary benefits and other coverages; actuarial support, plan design, and administrative services for pension and retirement savings plans; retirement consulting services and solutions; and integrated solutions that consists of investment discretionary management, pension administration, core actuarial, and communication and change management assistance services.