Aquatic Capital Management LLC Invests $3.47 Million in Peabody Energy Co. (NYSE:BTU)

Aquatic Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Peabody Energy Co. (NYSE:BTU - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 165,905 shares of the coal producer's stock, valued at approximately $3,474,000. Aquatic Capital Management LLC owned about 0.14% of Peabody Energy at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of BTU. Marshall Wace LLP acquired a new stake in shares of Peabody Energy during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $15,352,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. boosted its holdings in Peabody Energy by 113.5% in the fourth quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 1,350,855 shares of the coal producer's stock worth $28,287,000 after purchasing an additional 718,274 shares during the period. ExodusPoint Capital Management LP acquired a new position in Peabody Energy in the fourth quarter worth $8,565,000. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. boosted its holdings in Peabody Energy by 105.5% in the fourth quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 646,152 shares of the coal producer's stock worth $13,530,000 after purchasing an additional 331,759 shares during the period. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. boosted its holdings in Peabody Energy by 6.0% in the fourth quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 3,785,337 shares of the coal producer's stock worth $79,265,000 after purchasing an additional 215,614 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.44% of the company's stock.

Peabody Energy Trading Up 0.8 %

NYSE BTU traded up $0.10 on Thursday, hitting $12.44. 4,217,862 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,261,797. The company's 50 day moving average price is $12.95 and its 200-day moving average price is $18.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 2.15 and a quick ratio of 1.68. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 4.61 and a beta of 0.52. Peabody Energy Co. has a twelve month low of $9.61 and a twelve month high of $29.94.

Peabody Energy (NYSE:BTU - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The coal producer reported $0.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.53 by ($0.25). Peabody Energy had a return on equity of 10.33% and a net margin of 8.75%. Analysts predict that Peabody Energy Co. will post 2.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Peabody Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 11th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 19th were paid a dividend of $0.075 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 19th. This represents a $0.30 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.41%. Peabody Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 11.11%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on BTU. B. Riley reduced their price target on shares of Peabody Energy from $27.00 to $19.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 11th. Benchmark cut their price objective on shares of Peabody Energy from $30.00 to $26.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 7th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on shares of Peabody Energy from $30.00 to $26.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 6th.

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.