Welch Group LLC Reduces Stock Holdings in Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG)

Welch Group LLC cut its position in Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG) by 5.7% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 8,122 shares of the business services provider’s stock after selling 487 shares during the quarter. Welch Group LLC’s holdings in Republic Services were worth $1,634,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. FSA Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Republic Services during the third quarter valued at about $25,000. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC raised its position in shares of Republic Services by 351.6% in the third quarter. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC now owns 140 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 109 shares during the period. Webster Bank N. A. bought a new position in Republic Services in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000. R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in Republic Services in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, Truvestments Capital LLC bought a new stake in Republic Services during the 3rd quarter valued at $34,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.73% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have commented on the company. Royal Bank of Canada upgraded Republic Services from a “sector perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and raised their target price for the stock from $219.00 to $237.00 in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Oppenheimer boosted their price objective on shares of Republic Services from $219.00 to $220.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. CIBC increased their target price on shares of Republic Services from $217.00 to $227.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 4th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Republic Services from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and boosted their price target for the company from $219.00 to $237.00 in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upgraded Republic Services from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $211.00 to $238.00 in a research report on Friday, December 6th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $222.24.

Insider Activity

In related news, CFO Brian M. Delghiaccio sold 5,071 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.02, for a total transaction of $1,065,011.42. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 6,318 shares in the company, valued at $1,326,906.36. This represents a 44.53 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Katharine Weymouth sold 1,859 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $215.27, for a total transaction of $400,186.93. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 879 shares in the company, valued at approximately $189,222.33. This trade represents a 67.90 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.09% of the company’s stock.

Republic Services Trading Up 2.0 %

Shares of RSG opened at $221.31 on Tuesday. Republic Services, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $171.06 and a fifty-two week high of $221.75. The firm has a market cap of $69.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.41, a PEG ratio of 3.17 and a beta of 0.74. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $209.77 and a 200-day moving average price of $205.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a current ratio of 0.64.

About Republic Services

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.