On Wednesday, Willis Towers Watson (NASDAQ:WTW) received an updated price target from Roth/MKM, increasing it to $345.00 from the previous $315.00 while maintaining a Buy rating on the stock.
The adjustment followed the announcement of an agreement to sell Willis Towers Watson's Tranzact business to GTCR, a private equity firm, for $632.4 million.
The firm's analyst supports the decision to sell Tranzact, believing it aligns with Willis Towers Watson's strategy to enhance shareholder value. The new price target is based on a multiple of approximately 18.4 times the anticipated earnings per share (EPS) for the year 2025. The firm's stance is that Willis Towers Watson remains the best-value property and casualty (P&C) broker in the market.
Despite the significant transaction, the firm has chosen not to alter its adjusted earnings estimates, stating that the charge from the sale will be excluded from the adjusted earnings figure and will only be reflected in the net earnings. This approach is consistent with the firm's analytical methodology.
Willis Towers Watson's CEO, Carl Hess (NYSE:HES), commented on the sale, stating that the company is exiting the direct-to-consumer market with the divestiture of Tranzact. He emphasized that the move is expected to accelerate the company's progress toward achieving long-term free cash flow margin goals.
Roth/MKM has expressed confidence in the management of Willis Towers Watson, noting that the leadership knows what is necessary to increase the value of the company's shares. The sale of Tranzact is seen as a step that is in line with the company's broader strategic objectives.
In other recent news, Willis Towers Watson (WTW) has maintained its Outperform rating from Keefe, Bruyette & Woods despite agreeing to sell its direct-to-consumer Medicare Advantage broker TRANZACT to private equity firm GTCR and technology services investment platform Recognize for $632.4 million.
The transaction, expected to close by the end of 2024, is anticipated to lead to a substantial non-cash charge for WTW, estimated between $1.6 billion and $2.1 billion in the third quarter of 2024. The analyst firm views the divestiture favorably, suggesting the removal of TRANZACT could simplify WTW's operations and financial reporting.
Meanwhile, Barclays has initiated coverage on WTW with an Underweight rating due to concerns about the company's ability to meet its organic growth estimates. On the other hand, Roth/MKM reiterated a Buy rating for the company, signaling confidence in its strategic move to re-enter the reinsurance broking market.
These recent developments indicate a significant shift in WTW's business structure, with the forthcoming adjustments to the Earnings Per Share (EPS) estimates providing further insights into the financial implications of these transactions. All the information mentioned is based on recent factual developments and independent sources, providing a snapshot of WTW's current financial health.
InvestingPro Insights
Recent data from InvestingPro adds depth to the analysis of Willis Towers Watson's (NASDAQ:WTW) strategic moves. The company's market capitalization stands at $30.53 billion, reflecting its significant presence in the insurance brokerage sector. WTW's revenue growth of 6.7% over the last twelve months and a robust EBITDA growth of 9.82% in the same period underscore the company's solid financial performance, aligning with the positive outlook expressed by Roth/MKM analysts.
InvestingPro Tips highlight WTW's strong dividend history, having maintained payments for 22 consecutive years and raised them for 7 years straight. This consistent dividend policy, coupled with a current yield of 1.17%, may appeal to income-focused investors and supports the notion of stable shareholder returns.
The company's impressive one-year price total return of 46.31% and its current trading near its 52-week high (99.06% of the high) reflect market confidence in WTW's strategic decisions, including the recent Tranzact divestiture. These metrics reinforce Roth/MKM's bullish stance on the stock.
For investors seeking a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 5 additional tips that could provide further insights into WTW's financial health and market position.
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