Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA Purchases Shares of 43,735 Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE:WMS)

Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA acquired a new position in Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE:WMS) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 43,735 shares of the construction company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,055,000.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in WMS. Huntington National Bank lifted its position in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 123.1% in the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 386 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $61,000 after purchasing an additional 213 shares during the period. Millburn Ridgefield Corp lifted its holdings in Advanced Drainage Systems by 642.4% in the third quarter. Millburn Ridgefield Corp now owns 490 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $77,000 after buying an additional 424 shares during the period. CWM LLC boosted its position in Advanced Drainage Systems by 18.1% during the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 555 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $87,000 after acquiring an additional 85 shares during the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. grew its holdings in Advanced Drainage Systems by 12.7% during the 4th quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 781 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $90,000 after acquiring an additional 88 shares during the period. Finally, Spire Wealth Management bought a new position in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems in the 4th quarter worth about $94,000. 89.83% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Advanced Drainage Systems Price Performance

WMS stock opened at $114.50 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 1.98 and a current ratio of 3.21. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $120.01 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $137.09. The company has a market capitalization of $8.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 1.52. Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. has a 52-week low of $110.75 and a 52-week high of $184.27.

Advanced Drainage Systems (NYSE:WMS) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The construction company reported $1.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.34 by ($0.25). Advanced Drainage Systems had a net margin of 15.90% and a return on equity of 35.79%. Research analysts expect that Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. will post 6.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Advanced Drainage Systems Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 14th. Investors of record on Friday, February 28th will be given a dividend of $0.16 per share. This represents a $0.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.56%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. Advanced Drainage Systems’s payout ratio is currently 10.70%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the company. UBS Group raised Advanced Drainage Systems from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $155.00 target price for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. KeyCorp lowered their price objective on shares of Advanced Drainage Systems from $195.00 to $180.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 11th. Oppenheimer cut their target price on shares of Advanced Drainage Systems from $192.00 to $184.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 11th. Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on shares of Advanced Drainage Systems from $174.00 to $161.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 11th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Advanced Drainage Systems from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Advanced Drainage Systems has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $164.25.

Advanced Drainage Systems Company Profile

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc designs, manufactures, and markets thermoplastic corrugated pipes and related water management products in North America and internationally. The company operates through Pipe, International, Infiltrator, and Allied Products & Other segments. It offers single, double, and triple wall corrugated polypropylene and polyethylene pipes; plastic leachfield chambers and systems; EZflow synthetic aggregate bundles; wastewater purification through mechanical aeration wastewater for residential and commercial systems; septic tanks and accessories; combined treatment and dispersal systems, including advanced enviro-septic and advanced treatment leachfield systems; and allied products, including storm retention/detention and septic chambers, polyvinyl chloride drainage structures, fittings, and water quality filters and separators.