Centrica (LON:CNA) Upgraded to “Buy” at UBS Group

UBS Group upgraded shares of Centrica (LON:CNA) to a buy rating in a research report released on Wednesday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports. UBS Group currently has GBX 170 ($2.14) price objective on the integrated energy company’s stock, up from their previous price objective of GBX 165 ($2.07).

CNA has been the subject of several other research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated an overweight rating on shares of Centrica in a research note on Wednesday, February 21st. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of Centrica in a report on Friday, February 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Centrica presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of GBX 159 ($2.00).

Centrica Price Performance

Shares of Centrica stock opened at GBX 134.15 ($1.69) on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 1.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 96.93. Centrica has a twelve month low of GBX 112.25 ($1.41) and a twelve month high of GBX 173.70 ($2.18). The business has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 129.02 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 139.11. The firm has a market cap of £7.19 billion, a PE ratio of 194.28, a P/E/G ratio of 0.45 and a beta of 1.10.

Centrica Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 11th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 30th will be issued a dividend of GBX 2.67 ($0.03) per share. This is a boost from Centrica’s previous dividend of $1.33. This represents a dividend yield of 1.99%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 30th. Centrica’s payout ratio is currently 579.71%.

Insider Transactions at Centrica

In related news, insider Amber Rudd bought 1,720 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 25th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of GBX 127 ($1.60) per share, for a total transaction of £2,184.40 ($2,744.22). In other Centrica news, insider Amber Rudd acquired 1,720 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 25th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 127 ($1.60) per share, for a total transaction of £2,184.40 ($2,744.22). Also, insider Philippe Boisseau acquired 1,428 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, April 25th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 131 ($1.65) per share, for a total transaction of £1,870.68 ($2,350.10). Insiders have purchased a total of 5,202 shares of company stock worth $667,723 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.14% of the company’s stock.

About Centrica

Centrica plc operates as an integrated energy company in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Scandinavia, North America, and internationally. The company operates through British Gas Services & Solutions, British Gas Energy, Centrica Business Solutions, Bord Gáis Energy, Centrica Energy, and Upstream segments.