WESCO International, Inc. (NYSE:WCC) Receives Average Recommendation of “Buy” from Brokerages

Shares of WESCO International, Inc. (NYSE:WCC) have been given an average rating of “Buy” by the eight research firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation, six have given a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $219.43.

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on WCC shares. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of WESCO International from $212.00 to $213.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. KeyCorp decreased their target price on WESCO International from $245.00 to $205.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, March 17th. Stephens boosted their price objective on WESCO International from $205.00 to $215.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of WESCO International from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th.

WESCO International Stock Down 5.4 %

Shares of NYSE WCC opened at $135.97 on Monday. WESCO International has a 1 year low of $129.26 and a 1 year high of $216.17. The company has a market capitalization of $6.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.45 and a beta of 1.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 2.20 and a quick ratio of 1.27. The business has a 50-day moving average of $174.02 and a two-hundred day moving average of $182.56.

WESCO International (NYSE:WCC) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The technology company reported $3.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.23 by ($0.07). WESCO International had a net margin of 3.29% and a return on equity of 13.63%. On average, analysts forecast that WESCO International will post 13.3 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

WESCO International Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 14th were paid a $0.4538 dividend. This represents a $1.82 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.33%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 14th. This is a boost from WESCO International’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.41. WESCO International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 13.85%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WCC. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in WESCO International by 3.0% during the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 762,653 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $128,143,000 after purchasing an additional 22,080 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its stake in shares of WESCO International by 2.5% in the fourth quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 403,216 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $72,966,000 after buying an additional 10,016 shares in the last quarter. Davis Selected Advisers grew its holdings in WESCO International by 0.4% during the fourth quarter. Davis Selected Advisers now owns 256,987 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $46,504,000 after acquiring an additional 967 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its position in WESCO International by 149.3% in the fourth quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 255,035 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $46,148,000 after acquiring an additional 152,727 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its holdings in WESCO International by 62.9% in the fourth quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 215,002 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $38,906,000 after acquiring an additional 83,031 shares during the period. 93.76% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

WESCO International Company Profile

WESCO International, Inc provides business-to-business distribution, logistics services, and supply chain solutions in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Electrical & Electronic Solutions (EES), Communications & Security Solutions (CSS), and Utility and Broadband Solutions (UBS).