Brokerages Set WESCO International, Inc. (NYSE:WCC) PT at $184.67

Shares of WESCO International, Inc. (NYSE:WCC) have been given an average rating of “Moderate Buy” by the five analysts that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $184.67.

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. StockNews.com lowered shares of WESCO International from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Robert W. Baird cut their price target on shares of WESCO International from $203.00 to $170.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 14th. Oppenheimer boosted their price target on shares of WESCO International from $175.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, March 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on shares of WESCO International from $180.00 to $175.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 15th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada cut shares of WESCO International from an “outperform” rating to a “sector perform” rating and dropped their target price for the company from $202.00 to $173.00 in a report on Tuesday, February 13th.

WESCO International Price Performance

WCC opened at $152.48 on Monday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $160.78 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $158.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 1.42 and a current ratio of 2.48. WESCO International has a 52 week low of $121.90 and a 52 week high of $195.43. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.77 billion, a PE ratio of 11.26, a P/E/G ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 2.06.

WESCO International (NYSE:WCC) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 13th. The technology company reported $2.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.86 by ($1.21). WESCO International had a net margin of 3.42% and a return on equity of 17.01%. The firm had revenue of $5.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.59 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $4.13 EPS. WESCO International’s quarterly revenue was down 1.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts anticipate that WESCO International will post 14.19 earnings per share for the current year.

WESCO International Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th were given a dividend of $0.4125 per share. This represents a $1.65 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.08%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 14th. This is a positive change from WESCO International’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.38. WESCO International’s dividend payout ratio is presently 12.19%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP James Cameron sold 5,352 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $156.39, for a total value of $836,999.28. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 33,595 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,253,922.05. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Nelson John Squires III sold 3,490 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $190.00, for a total transaction of $663,100.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 54,385 shares in the company, valued at $10,333,150. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP James Cameron sold 5,352 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $156.39, for a total transaction of $836,999.28. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 33,595 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,253,922.05. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 2.60% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On WESCO International

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Hennessy Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in WESCO International by 43.9% in the first quarter. Hennessy Advisors Inc. now owns 26,900 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $4,607,000 after acquiring an additional 8,200 shares during the last quarter. Polianta Ltd lifted its stake in WESCO International by 31.5% in the 1st quarter. Polianta Ltd now owns 7,100 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $1,216,000 after purchasing an additional 1,700 shares in the last quarter. Rise Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in WESCO International in the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio lifted its stake in WESCO International by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 98,549 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $17,136,000 after purchasing an additional 505 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Venator Management LLC lifted its stake in WESCO International by 76.2% in the 4th quarter. Venator Management LLC now owns 33,475 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $5,821,000 after purchasing an additional 14,475 shares in the last quarter. 93.76% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About WESCO International

WESCO International, Inc provides business-to-business distribution, logistics services, and supply chain solutions in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Electrical & Electronic Solutions (EES), Communications & Security Solutions (CSS), and Utility and Broadband Solutions (UBS).