Watsco, Inc. (NYSE:WSO) Stock Holdings Lifted by Baskin Financial Services Inc.

Baskin Financial Services Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Watsco, Inc. (NYSE:WSO) by 0.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 67,677 shares of the construction company’s stock after acquiring an additional 435 shares during the quarter. Watsco accounts for 2.6% of Baskin Financial Services Inc.’s portfolio, making the stock its 20th largest holding. Baskin Financial Services Inc. owned 0.17% of Watsco worth $32,071,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of WSO. Creative Planning lifted its position in shares of Watsco by 9.2% in the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 4,841 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $2,243,000 after acquiring an additional 409 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in shares of Watsco in the second quarter valued at $26,000. Sanctuary Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Watsco in the second quarter worth $3,537,000. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV grew its holdings in shares of Watsco by 30.6% during the third quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 94 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $46,000 after buying an additional 22 shares in the last quarter. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new position in Watsco during the third quarter valued at $282,000. 89.71% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Barry S. Logan sold 10,998 shares of Watsco stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $508.21, for a total value of $5,589,293.58. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 12.86% of the company’s stock.

Watsco Price Performance

WSO opened at $478.91 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $19.34 billion, a PE ratio of 37.01 and a beta of 0.95. Watsco, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $373.33 and a fifty-two week high of $571.41. The business has a 50-day moving average of $499.81 and a 200-day moving average of $492.57.

Watsco Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 17th were paid a $2.70 dividend. This represents a $10.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.26%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 17th. Watsco’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 83.46%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have commented on WSO shares. Northcoast Research assumed coverage on Watsco in a research report on Friday, November 22nd. They set a “neutral” rating for the company. Robert W. Baird lowered their price objective on shares of Watsco from $550.00 to $540.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 24th. Finally, Raymond James initiated coverage on shares of Watsco in a research report on Friday, January 17th. They issued a “market perform” rating for the company. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $488.33.

About Watsco

Watsco, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the distribution of air conditioning, heating, refrigeration equipment, and related parts and supplies in the United States and internationally. The company distributes equipment, including residential ducted and ductless air conditioners, such as gas, electric, and oil furnaces; commercial air conditioning and heating equipment systems; and other specialized equipment.