US Ecology (NASDAQ:ECOL) had its price objective decreased by UBS Group from $63.00 to $58.00 in a research note published on Friday morning, Stock Target Advisor reports. UBS Group currently has a neutral rating on the business services provider’s stock.
Other equities research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. ValuEngine raised shares of US Ecology from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. BidaskClub cut shares of US Ecology from a sell rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, Zacks Investment Research cut shares of US Ecology from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. The company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $65.67.
Shares of NASDAQ ECOL opened at $54.60 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.53 and a beta of 0.53. US Ecology has a 12 month low of $54.15 and a 12 month high of $72.85. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $62.18 and its 200-day simple moving average is $61.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 2.03 and a quick ratio of 2.03.
US Ecology (NASDAQ:ECOL) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 30th. The business services provider reported $0.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.74 by $0.01. US Ecology had a net margin of 8.22% and a return on equity of 13.61%. The firm had revenue of $167.40 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $161.25 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.61 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that US Ecology will post 2.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 25th. Investors of record on Friday, October 18th were paid a $0.18 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 17th. This represents a $0.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.32%. US Ecology’s dividend payout ratio is currently 31.03%.
A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. American Research & Management Co. acquired a new stake in US Ecology during the 2nd quarter worth $36,000. US Bancorp DE boosted its stake in US Ecology by 20.0% during the 2nd quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 1,238 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $73,000 after purchasing an additional 206 shares during the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP acquired a new stake in US Ecology during the 1st quarter worth $77,000. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank boosted its stake in US Ecology by 27.4% during the 3rd quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 1,476 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $94,000 after purchasing an additional 317 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Mercantile Trust Co. boosted its stake in US Ecology by 13.5% during the 2nd quarter. First Mercantile Trust Co. now owns 1,510 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $90,000 after purchasing an additional 180 shares during the last quarter. 87.30% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
US Ecology Company Profile
US Ecology, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides environmental services to commercial and government entities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It operates through two segments, Environmental Services, and Field & Industrial Services. The Environmental Services segment offers hazardous material management services, including transportation, recycling, treatment, and disposal of hazardous, non-hazardous, and radioactive waste at its landfill, wastewater, deep-well injection, and other treatment facilities.
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