WestRock (NYSE:WRK) Shares Purchased by Kwmg LLC

Kwmg LLC increased its holdings in shares of WestRock (NYSE:WRK) by 1.1% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 135,236 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,486 shares during the quarter. Kwmg LLC owned approximately 0.05% of WestRock worth $6,687,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its position in WestRock by 268.7% in the 4th quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 789 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 575 shares during the last quarter. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A purchased a new stake in shares of WestRock in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust lifted its position in shares of WestRock by 59.0% in the 4th quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 862 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 320 shares in the last quarter. First United Bank & Trust purchased a new stake in shares of WestRock in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $43,000. Finally, Partnership Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of WestRock in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $45,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.38% of the company’s stock.

WestRock Price Performance

Shares of NYSE WRK traded down $0.68 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $49.53. The company had a trading volume of 1,184,868 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,262,594. WestRock has a 52 week low of $27.82 and a 52 week high of $54.83. The stock has a market cap of $12.73 billion, a PE ratio of 41.69, a PEG ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 1.34. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $50.99 and its 200-day moving average price is $46.54.

WestRock (NYSE:WRK) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 2nd. The basic materials company reported $0.39 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.25 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $4.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.75 billion. WestRock had a net margin of 1.57% and a return on equity of 5.85%. The business’s revenue was down 10.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.77 earnings per share. Analysts expect that WestRock will post 2.16 earnings per share for the current year.

WestRock Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 22nd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 14th were paid a $0.3025 dividend. This represents a $1.21 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.44%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 13th. WestRock’s dividend payout ratio is currently 101.68%.

Insider Buying and Selling at WestRock

In related news, EVP Denise R. Singleton sold 9,700 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.46, for a total transaction of $499,162.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 74,946 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,856,721.16. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, insider John L. O’neal sold 6,965 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.47, for a total value of $358,488.55. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 60,491 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,113,471.77. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Denise R. Singleton sold 9,700 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.46, for a total transaction of $499,162.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 74,946 shares in the company, valued at $3,856,721.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.49% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently commented on WRK shares. Argus upped their price target on shares of WestRock from $50.00 to $57.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, May 6th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of WestRock from $46.00 to $51.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, May 3rd. Truist Financial increased their price target on shares of WestRock from $51.00 to $57.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 30th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of WestRock in a research note on Saturday, May 18th. They issued a “hold” rating on the stock. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, WestRock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $48.80.

WestRock Company Profile

WestRock Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides fiber-based paper and packaging solutions in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Corrugated Packaging, Consumer Packaging, Global Paper, and Distribution. The Corrugated Packaging segment produces containerboards, corrugated sheets, corrugated packaging, and preprinted linerboards to consumer and industrial products manufacturers, and corrugated box manufacturers.