On September 10, 2023, it was reported that the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund had acquired a new position in shares of Weyerhaeuser (NYSE:WY) during the first quarter. According to the firm’s most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), they purchased 558,000 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock, which amounted to approximately $16,813,000 in value. At the end of the quarter, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund owned about 0.08% of Weyerhaeuser.
In addition to this development, Weyerhaeuser recently announced its quarterly dividend payout. Shareholders who were recorded as owners on Friday, September 1st will receive a dividend of $0.19 per share on Friday, September 15th. This represents an annualized dividend of $0.76 and a dividend yield of 2.37%. Those who purchase shares after Thursday, August 31st will not be eligible for this particular dividend.
It is worth noting that Weyerhaeuser’s current dividend payout ratio (DPR) stands at 79.17%. This figure indicates the percentage of earnings that is being paid out to shareholders in dividends.
The acquisition by Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund underscores their confidence in Weyerhaeuser’s performance and potential for growth in the real estate sector. As one of Canada’s major pension funds, their investment decisions carry weight and are often seen as indications of market trends.
Weyerhaeuser operates as a real estate investment trust primarily focused on timberlands and forest products. With operations across North America and a diversified portfolio within the industry, including product manufacturing and distribution segments, it has established itself as a significant player in its field. The company continues to pursue strategies aimed at optimizing returns for its shareholders while maintaining sustainable forestry practices and environmental stewardship.
This influx of investment by Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund may provide Weyerhaeuser with additional resources to further its growth plans or explore new opportunities within the real estate market. Investors and industry observers will be keen to see how this new development impacts the company’s performance in the coming months.
As always, potential investors are advised to conduct thorough research and seek professional guidance before making any investment decisions. The content of this article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.
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Hedge Funds Increase Holdings in Weyerhaeuser as Analysts Remain Positive on Stock
Weyerhaeuser (NYSE:WY), a real estate investment trust, has recently seen modifications in its holdings by several hedge funds. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc., for instance, increased its holdings in Weyerhaeuser by 2.6% during the fourth quarter, now owning 11,587 shares of the company’s stock worth $359,000. This was achieved after purchasing an additional 297 shares during that period. Similarly, Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC raised its holdings in Weyerhaeuser by 3.1%, now owning 9,907 shares of the stock worth $307,000 after buying an additional 299 shares.
Home Federal Bank of Tennessee also joined these hedge funds and lifted its holdings in Weyerhaeuser by 0.9% during the first quarter. The bank now owns 36,377 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock, with a value of $1,096,000 after purchasing an additional 340 shares. Ascent Group LLC followed suit by increasing its holdings by 3.8%, resulting in the ownership of 9,608 shares valued at $297,000 after acquiring an additional 348 shares.
Lastly, Stelac Advisory Services LLC saw a lift of 2.3% in their holdings during the first quarter and now owns 16,005 shares valued at $482,000 after buying an additional 365 shares.
All these hedge funds and institutional investors combined own approximately 79.54% of Weyerhaeuser’s stock.
As for research reports on WY, Truist Financial recently raised their price target from $35 to $36 and assigned a “hold” rating to the stock on Monday, July 31st. In addition to this report, Bank of America upgraded their rating from “neutral” to “buy” with a price target increase from $34 to $38 on Monday, July 10th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating with a target price of $40 for Weyerhaeuser in a report released on Monday, July 31st. StockNews.com issued a “hold” rating for the company in their report on Thursday, August 17th. Finally, SpectralCast maintained their rating on Weyerhaeuser as well.
Based on data from Bloomberg, the average rating for Weyerhaeuser is currently listed as “Moderate Buy,” with an average target price of $38.29.
On Friday, September 10th, NYSE:WY opened at $32.10 per share. With a market capitalization of $23.46 billion and a PE ratio of 33.44, Weyerhaeuser holds significant value and potential for investors. Its beta stands at 1.52, indicating its sensitivity to market fluctuations.
The company boasts a quick ratio of 1.42 and a current ratio of 1.74, reflecting its liquidity position and ability to meet short-term obligations promptly. Furthermore, Weyerhaeuser maintains a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, highlighting its conservative financial stance.
WY has experienced substantial price swings over the past year range between $27.36 (52-week low) and $36 (52-week high). Presently, the stock displays a fifty-day simple moving average of $33.31 and a two-hundred-day simple moving average of $31.20.
On Thursday, July 27th., Weyerhaeuser released its quarterly earnings results, reporting earnings per share (EPS) of $0.32 for the quarter—surpassing the consensus estimate by $0€11 per share ($0€21 versus expectations of $0€21). The company recorded revenue totaling $1.88 billion, falling short of the consensus estimate of $2.01 billion. Weyerhaeuser’s revenue decreased by 36.7% compared to the previous year, largely attributed to various market factors.
Weyerhaeuser achieved a return on equity of 8.32%, reflecting its ability to generate profit from shareholders’ investments, and a net margin of 8.80%. In the same quarter last year, the company had posted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.06.
Equities research analysts have predicted that Weyerhaeuser will post earnings per share (EPS) of approximately $1.19 for the current fiscal year.
Overall, despite fluctuations in holdings and ratings, Weyerhaeuser appears to be holding steady within the market, recommended as a moderate buy by analysts with an average target price expected to reach $38.29.
