1,919 Shares in Watsco, Inc. (NYSE:WSO) Acquired by Benchmark Financial Wealth Advisors LLC

Benchmark Financial Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Watsco, Inc. (NYSE:WSO) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 1,919 shares of the construction company’s stock, valued at approximately $909,000.

A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of WSO. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new position in Watsco during the third quarter valued at approximately $43,000. Quarry LP grew its holdings in shares of Watsco by 57.9% during the 3rd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 90 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $44,000 after acquiring an additional 33 shares in the last quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group acquired a new position in shares of Watsco in the third quarter worth $48,000. MCF Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Watsco by 27.8% in the third quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 115 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $57,000 after acquiring an additional 25 shares during the last quarter. Finally, R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Watsco during the fourth quarter worth $90,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.71% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

Insider Buying and Selling

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 sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 12.86% of the company’s stock.

Watsco Price Performance

NYSE WSO opened at $473.37 on Thursday. Watsco, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $373.33 and a fifty-two week high of $571.41. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $494.85 and its two-hundred day moving average is $492.17. The firm has a market cap of $19.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.58 and a beta of 0.95.

Watsco Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 31st. Investors of record on Friday, January 17th were paid a $2.70 dividend. This represents a $10.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.28%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 17th. Watsco’s payout ratio is 83.46%.

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.