The Williams Companies, Inc. (WMB:NYE) has received a “Buy” consensus recommendation from analysts, according to Stock Target Advisor. In this post, we will delve into the latest analyst opinions, explore recent insider activity, evaluate institutional trading trends, and provide an overview of Williams Companies’ stock performance.
WMB Stock-Analyst Opinions and Price Targets:
Stock Target Advisor reports that of the fifteen brokerages currently covering WMB stock, six have issued a “Hold” recommendation, four have given it a “Buy” rating, and one has recommended selling the stock. The average one-year target price among analysts is $36.89.
Among the notable analysts, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target from $36.00 to $35.00. Sanford C. Bernstein downgraded WMB from an “outperform” to a “market perform” rating, lowering their target price from $37.00 to $34.00. Scotiabank maintained a “sector perform” rating with a $35.00 target price. Citigroup raised their rating from “neutral” to “buy” and set a target price of $36.00.
Insider Buying and Selling:
Director William H. Spence recently purchased 5,000 shares of WMB stock, demonstrating confidence in the company’s prospects. This insider activity can provide insights into the positive sentiment of key individuals within the organization.
Institutional Trading:
Institutional investors have made modifications to their holdings of WMB. Vanguard Group Inc. and State Street Corp have both increased their stakes, showing continued interest in the company. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC significantly increased its position, and Deutsche Bank AG raised its stake by 15.2%. Geode Capital Management LLC also expanded its holdings in WMB. These institutional investments indicate a belief in the long-term potential of the company.
WMB Stock Price Performance:
WMB stock opened at $28.56, and its 52-week range is $27.80 to $37.97. The company has a market capitalization of $34.79 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.41. Williams Companies reported earnings of $0.56 per share for the last quarter, surpassing the consensus estimate of $0.46 per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter stood at $3.08 billion, exceeding the estimated $2.65 billion. Williams Companies demonstrated a return on equity of 17.24% and a net margin of 22.53%.
Dividend Announcement:
Williams Companies recently announced a quarterly dividend, with an ex-dividend date of June 9th. The dividend payout stands at $0.4475 per share, resulting in an annualized dividend of $1.79 and a yield of 6.27%. The company’s payout ratio currently stands at 84.04%.
Conclusion:
Analysts’ opinions on the Williams Companies stock are mixed, with some recommending a “Hold,” while others suggest either buying or selling. Recent insider buying by a company director indicates confidence in the stock’s prospects. Institutional investors have also shown continued interest by modifying their holdings positively.
The company’s recent earnings report exceeded expectations, and Williams Companies continues to provide a dividend to its shareholders. Investors should carefully evaluate these factors when considering an investment in WMB stock.
