Birchcliff Energy (OTCMKTS:BIREF) Shares Gap Down – Should You Sell?

Shares of Birchcliff Energy Ltd. (OTCMKTS:BIREF) gapped down before the market opened on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $4.56, but opened at $4.30. Birchcliff Energy shares last traded at $4.52, with a volume of 1,927 shares changing hands.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on BIREF shares. Atb Cap Markets raised shares of Birchcliff Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Thursday. ATB Capital raised shares of Birchcliff Energy to an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday. National Bankshares restated an “outperform” rating on shares of Birchcliff Energy in a report on Thursday, May 15th. Finally, Raymond James Financial upgraded shares of Birchcliff Energy from a “hold” rating to an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and seven have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Strong Buy”.

Birchcliff Energy Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $1.22 billion, a PE ratio of 23.57 and a beta of 0.59. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $5.08 and its 200-day moving average is $4.56. The company has a current ratio of 1.52, a quick ratio of 1.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23.

Birchcliff Energy (OTCMKTS:BIREF) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 13th. The company reported ($0.04) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.08 by ($0.12). Birchcliff Energy had a return on equity of 3.35% and a net margin of 11.60%. The firm had revenue of $123.78 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $131.37 million.

Birchcliff Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 16th were paid a dividend of $0.0215 per share. This represents a yield of 168.0%. This is a boost from Birchcliff Energy’s previous dividend of $0.02. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 13th. Birchcliff Energy’s payout ratio is currently 47.37%.

About Birchcliff Energy

Birchcliff Energy Ltd., an intermediate oil and natural gas company, explores for, develops, and produces natural gas, light oil, condensate, and other natural gas liquids in Western Canada. The company holds interests in the areas of Montney/Doig Resource Play, including the Pouce Coupe and Gordondale properties in Alberta.