Centrica (LON:CNA) Stock Price Crosses Above Two Hundred Day Moving Average – Time to Sell?

Centrica plc (LON:CNA)’s stock price crossed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of GBX 131.33 ($1.69) and traded as high as GBX 152.30 ($1.96). Centrica shares last traded at GBX 150.65 ($1.94), with a volume of 11,473,104 shares trading hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

CNA has been the topic of several recent research reports. Citigroup reissued a “top pick” rating on shares of Centrica in a report on Thursday, December 5th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a GBX 150 ($1.93) target price on shares of Centrica in a research note on Friday, December 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Centrica presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of GBX 167 ($2.15).

Centrica Trading Down 3.1 %

The company has a current ratio of 1.77, a quick ratio of 0.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 66.48. The firm has a 50-day moving average of GBX 143.82 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 131.66. The stock has a market capitalization of £7.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.01, a PEG ratio of 0.45 and a beta of 1.08.

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

Centrica Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 5th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 1st will be paid a GBX 3 ($0.04) dividend. This is a positive change from Centrica’s previous dividend of $1.50. This represents a dividend yield of 2.08%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 1st. Centrica’s dividend payout ratio is currently 19.06%.

Insider Activity at Centrica

In other news, insider Amber Rudd bought 1,483 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 25th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 152 ($1.96) per share, with a total value of £2,254.16 ($2,907.84). Also, insider Philippe Boisseau purchased 1,270 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 26th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 148 ($1.91) per share, for a total transaction of £1,879.60 ($2,424.66). Insiders have purchased 4,537 shares of company stock worth $654,104 over the last quarter. 0.20% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Centrica Company Profile

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.