Russell Investments Group Ltd. Has $1.25 Million Holdings in Peabody Energy Co. (NYSE:BTU)

Russell Investments Group Ltd. reduced its holdings in shares of Peabody Energy Co. (NYSE:BTU) by 44.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 59,576 shares of the coal producer’s stock after selling 48,612 shares during the quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd.’s holdings in Peabody Energy were worth $1,248,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its stake in Peabody Energy by 167.2% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,189 shares of the coal producer’s stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 744 shares during the last quarter. Byrne Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Peabody Energy by 63.3% during the fourth quarter. Byrne Asset Management LLC now owns 1,755 shares of the coal producer’s stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 680 shares during the period. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC lifted its holdings in Peabody Energy by 144.2% during the 4th quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 3,951 shares of the coal producer’s stock worth $83,000 after purchasing an additional 2,333 shares during the last quarter. US Bancorp DE boosted its stake in Peabody Energy by 120.2% in the 4th quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 4,289 shares of the coal producer’s stock valued at $90,000 after purchasing an additional 2,341 shares during the period. Finally, KBC Group NV grew its holdings in Peabody Energy by 37.0% in the 4th quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 4,762 shares of the coal producer’s stock valued at $100,000 after buying an additional 1,286 shares in the last quarter. 87.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Peabody Energy Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:BTU opened at $12.89 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 2.15, a quick ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.57 billion, a PE ratio of 4.77 and a beta of 0.52. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $13.50 and a 200-day moving average of $19.45. Peabody Energy Co. has a 12 month low of $9.61 and a 12 month high of $29.94.

Peabody Energy (NYSE:BTU) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The coal producer reported $0.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.53 by ($0.25). Peabody Energy had a net margin of 8.75% and a return on equity of 10.33%. On average, equities research analysts predict that Peabody Energy Co. will post 2.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Peabody Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 11th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 19th were paid a $0.075 dividend. This represents a $0.30 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.33%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 19th. Peabody Energy’s dividend payout ratio is currently 11.11%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

BTU has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on shares of Peabody Energy from $30.00 to $26.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th. B. Riley dropped their price target on shares of Peabody Energy from $27.00 to $19.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, April 11th. Finally, Benchmark cut their price target on Peabody Energy from $30.00 to $26.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 7th.

Peabody Energy Company Profile

Peabody Energy Corporation engages in coal mining business in the United States, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, India, Brazil, Belgium, Chile, France, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, South Korea, Germany, and internationally. The company operates through Seaborne Thermal, Seaborne Metallurgical, Powder River Basin, Other U.S.