Centrica (LON:CNA) Reaches New 52-Week High - Time to Buy?

Key Points

• Centrica plc hit a new 52-week high trading at GBX 169.65 ($2.32), reflecting a significant increase from its previous close of GBX 163.35 ($2.23) with a trading volume of over 54 million shares.
• Several analysts have raised their target prices for Centrica, with Royal Bank of Canada and Berenberg Bank setting new targets of GBX 200 and GBX 190 respectively, highlighting a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy."
• Despite recent performance, Centrica's PE ratio stands at -3,671.74 and its market cap is £7.95 billion, indicating a mixed financial outlook amid strong trading activity.

Centrica plc (LON:CNA - Get Free Report)'s stock price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as GBX 169.65 ($2.29) and last traded at GBX 169.55 ($2.28), with a volume of 54530766 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 163.35 ($2.20).

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently commented on CNA. Berenberg Bank upped their target price on shares of Centrica from GBX 155 to GBX 190 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, September 11th. Citigroup reiterated a "buy" rating and set a GBX 185 target price on shares of Centrica in a research note on Friday, August 15th. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their target price on shares of Centrica from GBX 175 to GBX 200 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 29th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of Centrica from GBX 177 to GBX 179 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, August 15th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of GBX 180.80.

Centrica Stock Up 0.5%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 66.48, a quick ratio of 0.40 and a current ratio of 1.77. The stock has a market cap of £7.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -3,647.83, a PEG ratio of 0.45 and a beta of 1.08. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is GBX 161.58 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is GBX 156.54.

Centrica (LON:CNA - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 24th. The integrated energy company reported GBX 7 earnings per share for the quarter. Centrica had a net margin of 5.39% and a return on equity of 25.16%.

Insider Activity at Centrica

In other news, insider Philippe Boisseau acquired 1,035 shares of Centrica stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 25th. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 163 per share, with a total value of £1,687.05. Also, insider Chris O’Shea sold 770,946 shares of Centrica stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 168, for a total transaction of £1,295,189.28. Insiders have purchased a total of 3,645 shares of company stock worth $595,896 in the last three months. 0.34% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Centrica Company Profile

Centrica is energising a greener, fairer future for our colleagues, customers and communities. Our integrated business operates across the energy value chain, with over ten million Retail customers, leading brands such as British Gas and Bord Gáis Energy, and the UK's largest energy services workforce.