Consolidated Water (NASDAQ:CWCO) Sees Strong Trading Volume – Time to Buy?

Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. (NASDAQ:CWCO) shares saw an uptick in trading volume on Wednesday . 193,123 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 111% from the previous session’s volume of 91,322 shares.The stock last traded at $31.68 and had previously closed at $31.35.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

CWCO has been the topic of several recent research reports. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Consolidated Water from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Saturday, March 7th. Weiss Ratings downgraded Consolidated Water from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Tuesday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $40.00.

Consolidated Water Price Performance

The stock’s fifty day moving average is $36.56 and its 200-day moving average is $35.34. The stock has a market capitalization of $493.99 million, a PE ratio of 31.68 and a beta of 0.50.

Consolidated Water Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 1st will be given a $0.14 dividend. This represents a $0.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 1st. Consolidated Water’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 57.73%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Consolidated Water

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of CWCO. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd raised its stake in Consolidated Water by 1,467.3% during the fourth quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 768 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 719 shares during the period. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in shares of Consolidated Water in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its stake in shares of Consolidated Water by 335.7% in the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,512 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $45,000 after buying an additional 1,165 shares during the period. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Consolidated Water during the 4th quarter worth approximately $51,000. Finally, CWM LLC raised its position in shares of Consolidated Water by 67.5% during the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 2,045 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $72,000 after buying an additional 824 shares during the period. 55.16% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Consolidated Water

Consolidated Water Co Ltd. is a developer, operator and manufacturer of water treatment and desalination systems. The company designs, engineers, builds and operates reverse-osmosis desalination plants and water treatment facilities, offering both turnkey project delivery and ongoing operations and maintenance services. Its product portfolio includes modular desalination units, water distribution systems, filtration membranes and associated equipment for potable water production.

Consolidated Water serves municipalities, resorts, commercial enterprises and private customers in the Caribbean and the southeastern United States.