Barclays PLC Purchases 13,107 Shares of Stantec Inc. (NYSE:STN)

Barclays PLC raised its position in Stantec Inc. (NYSE:STN) (TSE:STN) by 73.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 31,001 shares of the business services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 13,107 shares during the period. Barclays PLC’s holdings in Stantec were worth $2,493,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company lifted its position in shares of Stantec by 121.3% in the third quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 2,802,689 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $225,537,000 after purchasing an additional 1,536,475 shares in the last quarter. National Bank of Canada FI increased its stake in Stantec by 54.6% in the 3rd quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 1,453,730 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $116,897,000 after buying an additional 513,269 shares during the last quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale lifted its position in Stantec by 86.0% during the 2nd quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 913,713 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $75,897,000 after buying an additional 422,538 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can grew its holdings in shares of Stantec by 15.1% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 3,176,820 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $265,177,000 after acquiring an additional 415,993 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Candriam S.C.A. increased its position in shares of Stantec by 243.8% in the second quarter. Candriam S.C.A. now owns 204,405 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $17,108,000 after acquiring an additional 144,948 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 63.86% of the company’s stock.

Stantec Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE STN opened at $79.58 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.42, a quick ratio of 1.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. The company has a market capitalization of $9.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.17 and a beta of 0.99. Stantec Inc. has a 12 month low of $76.03 and a 12 month high of $88.42. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $83.34 and a 200-day moving average of $82.91.

Stantec Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st will be issued a $0.155 dividend. This is an increase from Stantec’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.15. This represents a $0.62 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.78%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 31st. Stantec’s payout ratio is currently 28.18%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently commented on the company. Canaccord Genuity Group raised Stantec from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, November 11th. Scotiabank initiated coverage on Stantec in a report on Friday, October 25th. They issued a “sector outperform” rating for the company. Canaccord Genuity Group upgraded shares of Stantec from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, November 11th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Stantec from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, November 16th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy”.

About Stantec

Stantec Inc provides professional services in the areas of infrastructure and facilities to the public and private sectors in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It offers evaluation, planning, and designing infrastructure solutions; solutions for sustainable water resources, planning, management, and infrastructure; environmental services; integrated architecture, engineering, interior design, and planning solutions for buildings; and energy and resources solutions.