BNP Paribas Financial Markets Increases Stock Holdings in Peabody Energy Co. (NYSE:BTU)

BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its position in Peabody Energy Co. (NYSE:BTU - Free Report) by 117.1% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 254,131 shares of the coal producer's stock after purchasing an additional 137,060 shares during the quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets owned approximately 0.21% of Peabody Energy worth $5,322,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC raised its holdings in Peabody Energy by 144.2% in the fourth 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 in the last quarter. Aquatic Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Peabody Energy in the fourth quarter worth about $3,474,000. Rhumbline Advisers raised its holdings in Peabody Energy by 2.4% in the fourth quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 327,601 shares of the coal producer's stock worth $6,860,000 after purchasing an additional 7,586 shares in the last quarter. Elevate Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in Peabody Energy in the fourth quarter worth about $1,889,000. Finally, Sanctuary Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Peabody Energy by 15.7% during the fourth quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 43,766 shares of the coal producer's stock valued at $916,000 after acquiring an additional 5,940 shares in the last quarter. 87.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Peabody Energy Stock Down 4.5%

Shares of BTU traded down $0.66 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $14.05. 4,770,333 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,429,308. Peabody Energy Co. has a 1-year low of $9.61 and a 1-year high of $29.94. 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 company has a market capitalization of $1.71 billion, a PE ratio of 5.20 and a beta of 0.49. The business has a 50 day moving average of $13.14 and a 200 day moving average of $17.68.

Peabody Energy (NYSE:BTU - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The coal producer reported $0.27 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.07 by $0.20. Peabody Energy had a net margin of 8.75% and a return on equity of 10.33%. The company had revenue of $937.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $976.57 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.30 EPS. Peabody Energy's quarterly revenue was down 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Peabody Energy Co. will post 2.61 EPS for the current year.

Peabody Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 15th will be issued a $0.075 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 15th. This represents a $0.30 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.14%. Peabody Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 11.19%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Benchmark cut their price objective on shares of Peabody Energy from $26.00 to $23.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. B. Riley cut their price objective on shares of Peabody Energy from $27.00 to $19.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 11th.

Peabody Energy 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.