Brokerages Set Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG) PT at $220.06

Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG) has been given an average rating of “Moderate Buy” by the eighteen brokerages that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and twelve have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year target price among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $221.12.

A number of brokerages have issued reports on RSG. BMO Capital Markets raised Republic Services from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and increased their price target for the company from $211.00 to $238.00 in a research note on Friday, December 6th. Scotiabank initiated coverage on shares of Republic Services in a report on Friday, October 4th. They issued a “sector perform” rating and a $224.00 price target for the company. CIBC increased their target price on shares of Republic Services from $217.00 to $227.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 4th. Oppenheimer upped their price target on Republic Services from $219.00 to $220.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Finally, William Blair initiated coverage on Republic Services in a research note on Thursday, October 3rd. They set an “outperform” rating for the company.

Insider Activity at Republic Services

In related news, Director Katharine Weymouth sold 1,859 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $215.27, for a total value of $400,186.93. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 879 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $189,222.33. This trade represents a 67.90 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CFO Brian M. Delghiaccio sold 5,071 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 19th. The stock was 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 of the company’s stock, valued at $1,326,906.36. The trade was a 44.53 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Republic Services

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC grew its position in shares of Republic Services by 4.3% in the second quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 35,467 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $6,893,000 after purchasing an additional 1,464 shares during the last quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Republic Services in the second quarter worth $203,000. Arizona State Retirement System raised its stake in Republic Services by 1.1% during the 2nd quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 63,919 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $12,422,000 after purchasing an additional 715 shares during the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC boosted its holdings in Republic Services by 5.2% in the 2nd quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 18,068 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $3,511,000 after purchasing an additional 885 shares during the period. Finally, Candriam S.C.A. acquired a new stake in Republic Services in the 2nd quarter worth $201,000. 57.73% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Republic Services Stock Performance

Shares of RSG stock opened at $206.47 on Friday. Republic Services has a 12-month low of $163.17 and a 12-month high of $220.58. The firm has a market capitalization of $64.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.04, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.30 and a beta of 0.73. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $208.87 and a 200 day simple moving average of $203.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 0.64 and a quick ratio of 0.64.

Republic Services (NYSE:RSG) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 29th. The business services provider reported $1.81 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.61 by $0.20. Republic Services had a net margin of 12.46% and a return on equity of 18.18%. The firm had revenue of $4.08 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.12 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.54 EPS. Republic Services’s revenue was up 6.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Republic Services will post 6.25 EPS for the current year.

Republic Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be given a $0.58 dividend. This represents a $2.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.12%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 2nd. Republic Services’s payout ratio is currently 37.12%.

Republic Services Company 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.