Maryland State Retirement & Pension System, a prominent institutional investor, has recently increased its position in The Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE:WMB). According to a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, the pension system acquired an additional 36,174 shares of the pipeline company’s stock during the second quarter, representing a 2.7% increase from its previous position. With this acquisition, Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now holds 1,379,631 shares of Williams Companies’ stock.
Williams Companies accounts for approximately 1.0% of Maryland State Retirement & Pension System’s investment portfolio and is currently ranked as their 16th largest holding. At the end of the most recent reporting period, these shares were estimated to be worth around $45,017,000.
In terms of financial performance, Williams Companies impressed investors with its latest quarterly earnings data released on August 2nd. The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $0.42 for the quarter, surpassing analysts’ expectations by $0.03. Despite falling short of revenue expectations with $2.48 billion in revenue compared to an estimated $2.66 billion, Williams Companies demonstrated a return on equity (ROE) of 17.35% and a net margin of 23.07%.
Although revenue was down slightly year-over-year by 0.3%, it is important to note that in the same quarter last year, Williams Companies posted EPS of $0.40.
Various analysts have weighed in on the stock’s performance as well. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Williams Companies and gave it a “hold” rating in their research note from August 17th. Similarly, CIBC began coverage and assigned a “neutral” rating to the stock on July 17th.
Other analysts have expressed more confidence in Williams Companies’ future prospects. TD Securities lowered their price objective from $39.00 to $38.00, but still maintained a “buy” rating for the company in their research report on August 4th. Mizuho, on the other hand, raised their target price from $40.00 to $41.00 and bestowed a “buy” rating upon the company in their research report from August 22nd.
Morgan Stanley also weighed in on Williams Companies’ stock and raised their price target from $39.00 to $42.00, resulting in an “equal weight” rating in their report dated August 29th.
In total, nine investment analysts have given the stock a hold rating while five analysts have rated it as a buy. According to data from Bloomberg, there is currently a consensus among analysts that Williams Companies should be held, with a consensus price target of approximately $36.27.
Given Maryland State Retirement & Pension System’s increased position and positive quarterly earnings results, it will be interesting to see how Williams Companies performs in the near future and whether these developments will influence other investors’ sentiments towards the company.
The Williams Companies, Inc.
WMB
Strong Buy
Updated on: 04/12/2023
Financial Health
Very Healthy
Debt to equity ratio: Strong Buy
Price to earnings ratio: Strong Buy
Price to book ratio: Strong Buy
DCF: Strong Buy
ROE: Neutral
Hedge Funds and Insider Trading Shake Up Ownership Structure in Williams Companies
In a surprising turn of events, several hedge funds have made significant changes to their positions in pipeline company, Williams Companies. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC experienced a staggering increase of 96,588.4% in its stake during the last quarter of 2022. The company now owns an impressive 63,423,739 shares valued at $2,086,641,000.
Another notable change came from Norges Bank which acquired a new stake in Williams Companies worth $292,176,000 during the same period. Federated Hermes Inc. saw its stake grow by 332.8% in the first quarter, adding 8,417,313 shares to its portfolio and bringing its total ownership to 10,946,832 shares valued at $326,872,000.
Royal Bank of Canada also raised its holdings by a significant margin in the first quarter with an increase of 85.8%. The bank now possesses 16,352,215 shares worth $546,327,000. Deutsche Bank AG followed suit by raising its holdings by 15.2%, acquiring an additional 4,112,024 shares and bringing its total ownership to 31,131463 worth $1,024224000.
These changes from hedge funds and other institutional investors mean that currently approximately 85.76% of Williams Companies’ stock is owned by these entities.
Aside from major changes in ownership structure for Williams Companies’ stockholders due to the recent actions taken by hedge funds and institutional investors; there are also interesting developments relating to insider trading activities within the company.
Senior Vice President Scott A. Hallam recently conducted a series of stock sales transactions during June and July this year. On Friday July 7th alone he sold a total of 7/193 shares at an average price per share of $33 resulting in proceeds totalling $237369.
The most recent transaction was documented through filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission on Friday 7th July 2023. Post-transaction disposition of the said shares, Hallam retains ownership interest in an approximate quantification of 226,973 shares; the number valued at approximately $7,490,109. Similar transactions were carried out by Hallam on June 28th and also another instance noted relating to yet another July 7th transaction.
Within a three-month timeframe, insiders have sold a collective total of 21/581 shares valued at $690591; thus revealing overall impact accounting for 0.44% given the current stock ownership amongst corporate insiders.
As we transition from recent news regarding insider trading actions to analyzing the company’s historical market standing, Williams Companies recently opened the day at $34.34 per share as listed on NYSE WMB by close of business on Friday September 15th 2023.
This opening price is noteworthy considering that relative to short term moving average logistics which is recorded over a period of fifty calendar days maintains an average tally equivalent to $34.29 whereas reflecting slight disparity calculated for a longer term perspective of two hundred calendar days leads us note difference between opening price and former recording at around $31.49 mark showcasing significance of scheduled trends.
Factoring into account prevailing market conditions and overall investor sentiment, company’s aforementioned standing attracts attention owing in large part towards notable aspects such as mighty market capitalization amounts totaling almost $41.77 billion.
Additional considerations involving PE ratio estimate (which refers to Price-to-Earnings) identified stand-out figures indicating overall recording amounting up to approximately fifteen google-seven-five (15…75 in abbreviated form).
Further elements pertaining PEG ration identification denote potential estimations made available specifically targeting circle finance equaling five point fourteen (5…14); while also mentioning indicative beta consistency expressed registering one point eighteen (1…18 boundary).
Taking into consideration other financial ratios quantifying various levels of indebtedness amongst company-specific representative results inspired towards further investigations allowing distinctions involving calculations accruing ratio referencing combined obligation-to-equity composition as totalling approximately one point fifty two (1…52).
Key findings ratified through quantitative measurement include current ratios quantifying a score of around 0.49 and give rise to quick ratio figures evaluated accumulating results equaling numbers surrounding 0.44; both interrelations reflecting description standing as previously defined.
Finally, expanding upon notable elements presenting themselves covers establishment levels separating referential calculations particularly connected to observations made on annual high and low variables depicted noting responses paramount from general investment activity.
Accordingly, noteworthy registered boundaries reflecting establishments’ respective minimum and maximum are valued at $27.80 and an exaggerated surveyed figure located at $35.46 respectively; positioning overall evaluation concerning historical market performance ratings for the given geographical jurisdiction under contention in recent times.
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