KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS Invests $1.73 Million in Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE:WMS)

KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS purchased a new position in Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE:WMS) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 15,000 shares of the construction company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,734,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of WMS. American Century Companies Inc. grew its position in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 1.2% in the fourth quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,402,447 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $162,123,000 after purchasing an additional 16,415 shares in the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP grew its holdings in Advanced Drainage Systems by 404.2% in the 4th quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 40,525 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $4,685,000 after buying an additional 32,488 shares in the last quarter. Blueshift Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 127.2% in the 4th quarter. Blueshift Asset Management LLC now owns 4,976 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $575,000 after acquiring an additional 2,786 shares during the last quarter. Algebris UK Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems during the 4th quarter worth $481,000. Finally, Xponance Inc. boosted its position in shares of Advanced Drainage Systems by 3.8% during the 4th quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 10,379 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $1,200,000 after acquiring an additional 376 shares during the last quarter. 89.83% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Advanced Drainage Systems Trading Down 2.6 %

WMS opened at $108.25 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $116.95 and a 200 day moving average price of $130.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93, a current ratio of 3.21 and a quick ratio of 1.98. Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. has a 12 month low of $101.90 and a 12 month high of $184.27. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.10, a PEG ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 1.61.

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

Advanced Drainage Systems Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 28th were issued a $0.16 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 28th. This represents a $0.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.59%. Advanced Drainage Systems’s payout ratio is 10.70%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. Loop Capital reduced their target price on shares of Advanced Drainage Systems from $170.00 to $160.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 7th. Stephens reiterated an “equal weight” rating and issued a $135.00 price objective on shares of Advanced Drainage Systems in a report on Friday, February 7th. Barclays cut their target price on Advanced Drainage Systems from $160.00 to $149.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 7th. UBS Group raised Advanced Drainage Systems from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $155.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Advanced Drainage Systems from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $164.25.

Advanced Drainage Systems 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.