Centrica (LON:CNA) Sets New 1-Year High – Should You Buy?

Centrica plc (LON:CNA) reached a new 52-week high on Thursday . The company traded as high as GBX 153.35 ($1.99) and last traded at GBX 151.70 ($1.97), with a volume of 19389826 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 150.65 ($1.96).

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on CNA shares. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a GBX 150 ($1.95) price target on shares of Centrica in a research note on Friday, December 6th. Citigroup reissued a “top pick” rating on shares of Centrica in a report on Thursday, December 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of GBX 167 ($2.17).

Centrica Stock Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 1.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 66.48. The company has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 143.30 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 131.33. The stock has a market cap of £7.58 billion, a PE ratio of 7.23, a P/E/G ratio of 0.45 and a beta of 1.08.

Centrica (LON:CNA) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 20th. The integrated energy company reported GBX 19 ($0.25) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Centrica had a net margin of 5.39% and a return on equity of 25.16%.

Centrica Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 5th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 1st will be paid a dividend of GBX 3 ($0.04) per share. This represents a dividend yield of 2.08%. This is an increase from Centrica’s previous dividend of $1.50. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 1st. Centrica’s dividend payout ratio is 19.06%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Amber Rudd bought 1,483 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 25th. The shares were purchased at an average price of GBX 152 ($1.97) per share, with a total value of £2,254.16 ($2,927.10). Also, insider Philippe Boisseau purchased 1,270 shares of Centrica stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 26th. The shares were bought at an average price of GBX 148 ($1.92) per share, for a total transaction of £1,879.60 ($2,440.72). Insiders have acquired 4,537 shares of company stock valued at $654,104 over the last ninety days. 0.20% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About Centrica

Centrica is energising a greener, fairer future for our colleagues, customers and communities. Our integrated business operates across the energy value chain, with over ten million Retail customers, leading brands such as British Gas and Bord Gáis Energy, and the UK’s largest energy services workforce.