Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG) have earned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the eighteen analysts that are covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $215.71.

RSG has been the subject of several research reports. William Blair started coverage on Republic Services in a research note on Thursday, October 3rd. They issued an “outperform” rating for the company. Robert W. Baird boosted their price objective on Republic Services from $208.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Oppenheimer raised their target price 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. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Republic Services from $211.00 to $219.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Finally, Raymond James lowered their target price on shares of Republic Services from $219.00 to $214.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, July 25th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Republic Services

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. FSA Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Republic Services in the third quarter valued at about $25,000. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC lifted its stake in Republic Services by 351.6% in the 3rd quarter. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC now owns 140 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 109 shares in the last quarter. EntryPoint Capital LLC acquired a new position in Republic Services during the 1st quarter worth approximately $29,000. Webster Bank N. A. bought a new position in shares of Republic Services during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Truvestments Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Republic Services in the third quarter worth $34,000. 57.73% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Republic Services Price Performance

Shares of RSG stock opened at $208.03 on Friday. Republic Services has a 52 week low of $157.46 and a 52 week high of $216.18. The stock has a market capitalization of $65.15 billion, a PE ratio of 33.28, a PEG ratio of 3.28 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a current ratio of 0.64. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $203.74 and its 200-day moving average is $197.87.

Republic Services (NYSE:RSG) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 29th. The business services provider reported $1.81 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 analysts’ expectations of $4.12 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.54 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 6.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Republic Services will post 6.24 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Republic Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be paid a $0.58 dividend. This represents a $2.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.12%. The ex-dividend date 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.