We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Should You Retain Willis Towers (WLTW) in Your Portfolio?
Read MoreHide Full Article
Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company has been benefiting from new business activity, acquisitions and a strong balance sheet.
Growth Projections
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2021 and 2022 earnings per share is pegged at $12.70 and $13.71, indicating year-over-year increases of 8.5% and 7.9%, respectively.
Estimate Revision
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for both 2021 and 2022 moved 0.8% north in the past 30 days. This should instill investors' confidence in the stock.
Earnings Surprise History
Willis Towers has a decent earnings surprise history. It beat estimates in each of the last four quarters, the average being 7.72%.
Zacks Rank & Price Performance
The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). In the past year, the stock has rallied 19% compared with the industry’s growth of 27.1%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Business Tailwinds
The Health and Benefits segment of the insurer should gain from advisory services across various lines of business, global benefit management and local brokerage appointments outside North America.
Technology and Administration Solutions is likely to perform better, with increased project work and new business activity in Great Britain.
Continued expense-reduction efforts are expected to increase the operating margin of the Health Capital & Benefits segment (“HCB”). The long-term perspective on HCB remains positive.
The Benefits Delivery & Administration (“BDA”) segment is likely to gain from the individual marketplace, primarily by TRANZACT, growth in Medicare Advantage products, and the Benefits Outsourcing business, which was mostly driven by an expanded client base. For 2021, Willis Towers expects positive momentum for the BDA business.
The insurance broker pursues buyouts to expand its geographical footprint and boost its product portfolio.
In the first quarter of 2020, Willis Towers has agreed to be acquired by Aon plc (AON - Free Report) , which will enable it to more proactively support clients in developing solutions to problems that are inadequately managed today.
Moreover, the company boasts strong capital and liquidity position. The company’s debt to capital of 30.6% betters the industry average of 47.6%. This provides it the flexibility to raise additional debt. Its times interest earned of 8.3 compares favorably with the industry average of 7.7, which implies that its earnings are sufficient to cover its interest obligations.
Riding on a solid capital position, Willis Towers has been hiking dividends, which witnessed an nine-year CAGR (2013-2021) of 12.3%. Its dividend yield of 1.2% appears attractive compared with the industry average of 1.1%.
The bottom line of Marsh & McLennan surpassed estimates in each of the last four quarters, the average being 12.01%.
Alleghany’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the last four quarters, the average being 128.63%.
Bitcoin, Like the Internet Itself, Could Change Everything
Blockchain and cryptocurrency has sparked one of the most exciting discussion topics of a generation. Some call it the “Internet of Money” and predict it could change the way money works forever. If true, it could do to banks what Netflix did to Blockbuster and Amazon did to Sears. Experts agree we’re still in the early stages of this technology, and as it grows, it will create several investing opportunities.
Zacks’ has just revealed 3 companies that can help investors capitalize on the explosive profit potential of Bitcoin and the other cryptocurrencies with significantly less volatility than buying them directly.
Image: Bigstock
Should You Retain Willis Towers (WLTW) in Your Portfolio?
Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company has been benefiting from new business activity, acquisitions and a strong balance sheet.
Growth Projections
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2021 and 2022 earnings per share is pegged at $12.70 and $13.71, indicating year-over-year increases of 8.5% and 7.9%, respectively.
Estimate Revision
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for both 2021 and 2022 moved 0.8% north in the past 30 days. This should instill investors' confidence in the stock.
Earnings Surprise History
Willis Towers has a decent earnings surprise history. It beat estimates in each of the last four quarters, the average being 7.72%.
Zacks Rank & Price Performance
The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). In the past year, the stock has rallied 19% compared with the industry’s growth of 27.1%.
Business Tailwinds
The Health and Benefits segment of the insurer should gain from advisory services across various lines of business, global benefit management and local brokerage appointments outside North America.
Technology and Administration Solutions is likely to perform better, with increased project work and new business activity in Great Britain.
Continued expense-reduction efforts are expected to increase the operating margin of the Health Capital & Benefits segment (“HCB”). The long-term perspective on HCB remains positive.
The Benefits Delivery & Administration (“BDA”) segment is likely to gain from the individual marketplace, primarily by TRANZACT, growth in Medicare Advantage products, and the Benefits Outsourcing business, which was mostly driven by an expanded client base. For 2021, Willis Towers expects positive momentum for the BDA business.
The insurance broker pursues buyouts to expand its geographical footprint and boost its product portfolio.
In the first quarter of 2020, Willis Towers has agreed to be acquired by Aon plc (AON - Free Report) , which will enable it to more proactively support clients in developing solutions to problems that are inadequately managed today.
Moreover, the company boasts strong capital and liquidity position. The company’s debt to capital of 30.6% betters the industry average of 47.6%. This provides it the flexibility to raise additional debt. Its times interest earned of 8.3 compares favorably with the industry average of 7.7, which implies that its earnings are sufficient to cover its interest obligations.
Riding on a solid capital position, Willis Towers has been hiking dividends, which witnessed an nine-year CAGR (2013-2021) of 12.3%. Its dividend yield of 1.2% appears attractive compared with the industry average of 1.1%.
Stocks to Consider
Some better-ranked stocks from the insurance sector are Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (MMC - Free Report) and Alleghany Corporation , each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The bottom line of Marsh & McLennan surpassed estimates in each of the last four quarters, the average being 12.01%.
Alleghany’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the last four quarters, the average being 128.63%.
Bitcoin, Like the Internet Itself, Could Change Everything
Blockchain and cryptocurrency has sparked one of the most exciting discussion topics of a generation. Some call it the “Internet of Money” and predict it could change the way money works forever. If true, it could do to banks what Netflix did to Blockbuster and Amazon did to Sears. Experts agree we’re still in the early stages of this technology, and as it grows, it will create several investing opportunities.
Zacks’ has just revealed 3 companies that can help investors capitalize on the explosive profit potential of Bitcoin and the other cryptocurrencies with significantly less volatility than buying them directly.
See 3 crypto-related stocks now >>