Centrica (LON:CNA) Reaches New 12-Month High – Still a Buy?

Shares of Centrica plc (LON:CNA) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as GBX 173.90 ($2.34) and last traded at GBX 173.04 ($2.33), with a volume of 10475423 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 173 ($2.33).

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price target on Centrica from GBX 175 to GBX 200 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 29th. Berenberg Bank boosted their price target on Centrica from GBX 155 to GBX 190 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, September 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Centrica from GBX 177 to GBX 179 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, August 15th. Citigroup reiterated a “buy” rating and set a GBX 185 target price on shares of Centrica in a research report on Friday, August 15th. Finally, Barclays upgraded Centrica to an “overweight” rating and boosted their target price for the stock from GBX 180 to GBX 210 in a research report on Thursday. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Centrica presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of GBX 185.67.

Centrica Price Performance

The company has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 164.72 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 159.47. The company has a market cap of £8.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -3,780.24, a PEG ratio of 0.45 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 66.48, a quick ratio of 0.40 and a current ratio of 1.77.

Centrica (LON:CNA) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 24th. The integrated energy company reported GBX 7 EPS for the quarter. Centrica had a return on equity of 25.16% and a net margin of 5.39%.

Insider Activity at Centrica

In other news, insider Sue Whalley purchased 586 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 25th. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 166 per share, with a total value of £972.76. Also, insider Philippe Boisseau purchased 1,011 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 25th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 166 per share, for a total transaction of £1,678.26. Insiders have bought a total of 4,210 shares of company stock worth $692,324 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

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.