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

Aquatic Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Peabody Energy Co. (NYSE:BTU - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 165,905 shares of the coal producer's stock, valued at approximately $3,474,000. Aquatic Capital Management LLC owned approximately 0.14% of Peabody Energy at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of BTU. Byrne Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in Peabody Energy by 63.3% during the 4th 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. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of Peabody Energy by 5.5% during the 4th quarter. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 13,234 shares of the coal producer's stock worth $277,000 after buying an additional 693 shares in the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Peabody Energy by 167.2% during the fourth 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 period. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC raised its holdings in shares of Peabody Energy by 3.7% in the fourth quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 24,556 shares of the coal producer's stock valued at $514,000 after acquiring an additional 885 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Altshuler Shaham Ltd lifted its stake in Peabody Energy by 45.0% in the fourth quarter. Altshuler Shaham Ltd now owns 2,900 shares of the coal producer's stock worth $61,000 after acquiring an additional 900 shares during the period. 87.44% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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

Peabody Energy Stock Up 3.4 %

Shares of Peabody Energy stock traded up $0.42 on Friday, reaching $12.83. The stock had a trading volume of 3,921,830 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,261,182. The company has a quick ratio of 1.68, a current ratio of 2.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 4.75 and a beta of 0.49. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $12.87 and a 200 day moving average price of $18.59. Peabody Energy Co. has a 1 year low of $9.61 and a 1 year high of $29.94.

Peabody Energy (NYSE:BTU - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results 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%. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Peabody Energy Co. will post 2.61 EPS for the current year.

Peabody Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 11th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 19th were issued a $0.075 dividend. This represents a $0.30 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.34%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 19th. Peabody Energy's dividend payout ratio is presently 11.11%.

About Peabody Energy

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.