Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. $WMS Stock: Vest Financial LLC Reduces Stake

Vest Financial LLC decreased its position in Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE:WMS) by 32.7% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 23,374 shares of the construction company’s stock after selling 11,379 shares during the quarter. Vest Financial LLC’s holdings in Advanced Drainage Systems were worth $2,962,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of WMS. First Bank & Trust grew its position in Advanced Drainage Systems by 5.5% during the third quarter. First Bank & Trust now owns 1,666 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $211,000 after acquiring an additional 87 shares during the last quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. raised its stake in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 78.1% during the first quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 244 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 7.7% during the first quarter. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,800 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $247,000 after acquiring an additional 128 shares in the last quarter. Praxis Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 7.0% during the first quarter. Praxis Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,130 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $292,000 after acquiring an additional 140 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Parallel Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 18.0% in the 1st quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 1,027 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $141,000 after acquiring an additional 157 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.83% of the company’s stock.

Advanced Drainage Systems Stock Performance

NYSE:WMS opened at $130.36 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a current ratio of 2.12. Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $122.84 and a fifty-two week high of $179.32. The firm has a market cap of $9.83 billion, a PE ratio of 22.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 1.29. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $131.88 and a 200-day moving average price of $139.83.

Advanced Drainage Systems (NYSE:WMS) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 6th. The construction company reported $2.49 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.10 by $0.39. Advanced Drainage Systems had a net margin of 14.00% and a return on equity of 28.28%. The company had revenue of $1 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $991.39 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.95 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 20.6% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts predict that Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. will post 6.57 earnings per share for the current year.

Advanced Drainage Systems Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 1st were given a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 1st. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.6%. Advanced Drainage Systems’s payout ratio is presently 13.82%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. DA Davidson reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $190.00 price objective on shares of Advanced Drainage Systems in a research note on Tuesday, October 6th. Barclays increased their target price on shares of Advanced Drainage Systems from $181.00 to $191.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Stephens reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $175.00 target price on shares of Advanced Drainage Systems in a research report on Monday, September 21st. Robert W. Baird set a $206.00 price target on shares of Advanced Drainage Systems in a research note on Friday, August 7th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of Advanced Drainage Systems from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $187.40.

Advanced Drainage Systems Company Profile

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc (NYSE: WMS) is a manufacturer of water management products and solutions. The company produces thermoplastic corrugated pipe, fittings, drainage structures, stormwater chambers and related products used to manage the collection, conveyance, storage and treatment of water.

Its products serve a range of markets, including residential, commercial, agricultural, infrastructure and environmental applications. Advanced Drainage Systems supplies solutions for stormwater management, septic and wastewater systems, highway and road construction, land development, agriculture and erosion control.

Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Hilliard, Ohio, the company serves customers through a manufacturing and distribution network primarily covering the United States and Canada, with additional international operations.