KBR (NYSE:KBR) Sees Unusually-High Trading Volume After Earnings Beat

Shares of KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR) saw strong trading volume on Monday following a better than expected earnings announcement. 2,989,497 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 114% from the previous session’s volume of 1,398,267 shares.The stock last traded at $49.16 and had previously closed at $49.14.

The construction company reported $0.91 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.83 by $0.08. KBR had a return on equity of 28.87% and a net margin of 4.35%.

KBR Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 14th will be issued a $0.165 dividend. This is an increase from KBR’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.15. This represents a $0.66 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.31%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th. KBR’s payout ratio is presently 27.73%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently weighed in on KBR shares. TD Cowen dropped their price objective on shares of KBR from $72.00 to $64.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. DA Davidson reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $84.00 target price on shares of KBR in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. KeyCorp dropped their target price on shares of KBR from $78.00 to $70.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of KBR from $77.00 to $78.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Finally, Citigroup dropped their target price on shares of KBR from $82.00 to $76.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $78.00.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On KBR

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in KBR. Blue Trust Inc. grew its holdings in shares of KBR by 32.2% in the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,926 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $124,000 after buying an additional 469 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. increased its holdings in KBR by 993.0% during the 3rd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 170,515 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $11,106,000 after purchasing an additional 154,915 shares in the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in KBR during the 3rd quarter worth about $297,000. State of Alaska Department of Revenue increased its holdings in KBR by 162.6% during the 3rd quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 38,455 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $2,503,000 after purchasing an additional 23,810 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Diversify Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in KBR during the 3rd quarter worth about $221,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.02% of the company’s stock.

KBR Stock Performance

The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $55.99 and a 200-day simple moving average of $61.81. The stock has a market cap of $6.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.12, a PEG ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 1.07.

About KBR

KBR, Inc provides scientific, technology, and engineering solutions to governments and commercial customers worldwide. It operates through Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions segments. The Government Solutions segment offers life-cycle support solutions to defense, intelligence, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.