Watts Water Technologies executive sells over $285k in company stock By Investing.com

Watts Water Technologies Inc . (NYSE:) Chief Accounting Officer Virginia A. Halloran has recently engaged in significant stock transactions, according to the latest SEC filings. Halloran sold a total of $285,362 worth of Class A Common Stock at prices ranging from $201.78 to $204.3 per share.

The transactions, which took place on March 15, involved the sale of 1,407 shares, indicating a strong trading activity by the executive. Notably, these sales do not represent discretionary transactions but are part of the company’s structured stock plans, as detailed in the footnotes of the SEC filing. For instance, some of the shares were sold to cover tax obligations upon the vesting of awards, a common practice in executive compensation.

In addition to the sales, Halloran also acquired shares valued at $44,561 at a price of $163.23 each under the company’s Management Stock Purchase Plan. This plan allows executives to purchase shares at a discount, using a portion of their pre-tax performance bonus, which in Halloran’s case was part of her 2023 bonus. The acquired shares are subject to a vesting schedule, with installments beginning a year after the grant date.

Furthermore, Halloran disposed of shares worth $29,993 at $204.04 per share to meet tax withholding obligations related to vested restricted stock units. These disposals are mandated by the terms of the Issuer’s Management Stock Purchase Plan and reflect non-discretionary transactions mandated by the company’s compensation agreements.

Investors often monitor insider transactions as they can provide insights into executives’ perspectives on the company’s performance and future prospects. However, it is important to note that such transactions are subject to strict regulations and are often planned in advance, following the rules of stock compensation programs.

Watts Water Technologies, with its headquarters in North Andover, Massachusetts, specializes in producing various water quality, conservation, and efficiency products. The company’s stock performance and executive transactions are closely watched by investors interested in the industrial sector and specifically in companies involved in water technologies.

InvestingPro Insights

Amidst the recent stock transactions by Watts Water Technologies Inc. (NYSE:WTS) Chief Accounting Officer Virginia A. Halloran, investors are keen to understand the company’s financial health and future growth prospects. Here are some insights based on the latest data from InvestingPro:

Watts Water Technologies currently holds a market capitalization of $6.76 billion, reflecting its standing in the industrial sector and water technology market. The company’s P/E ratio is 25.9, which is relatively high, indicating that the stock might be trading at a premium compared to its near-term earnings growth. This is further highlighted by a PEG ratio of 5.71, suggesting that the price might be outpacing earnings growth when factoring in the expected earnings growth rate.

From an operational standpoint, the company has reported a gross profit margin of 46.73% in the last twelve months as of Q4 2023, demonstrating a strong ability to manage its cost of goods sold and maintain profitability. This is an important metric for investors, as it shows the company’s efficiency in its core operations.

Regarding dividends, Watts Water Technologies has a notable track record, having raised its dividend for 11 consecutive years. This consistency is a positive signal for investors looking for stable income, and it is supported by the company’s ability to generate cash flows that can sufficiently cover interest payments, as indicated by one of the InvestingPro Tips.

For investors seeking further insights and analysis, there are 12 additional InvestingPro Tips available for Watts Water Technologies, including information on earnings revisions by analysts and the company’s debt levels. To access these tips and more detailed metrics, visit https://www.investing.com/pro/WTS. Don’t forget to use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription.

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