Centrica (LON:CNA) Reaches New 52-Week High - Here's Why

Centrica plc (LON:CNA - Get Free Report)'s stock price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as GBX 158.90 ($2.11) and last traded at GBX 158.70 ($2.11), with a volume of 16493559 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 157.35 ($2.09).

Centrica Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 1.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 66.48. The company has a market cap of £7.87 billion, a PE ratio of 7.51, a P/E/G ratio of 0.45 and a beta of 1.08. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 147.78 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 135.94.

Centrica (LON:CNA - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 20th. The integrated energy company reported GBX 19 ($0.25) EPS for the quarter. Centrica had a return on equity of 25.16% and a net margin of 5.39%.

Centrica Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 5th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 1st will be given a GBX 3 ($0.04) dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 1st. This represents a yield of 2.08%. This is a positive change from Centrica's previous dividend of $1.50. Centrica's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 19.06%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Centrica

In other Centrica news, insider Sue Whalley acquired 10,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 17th. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 149 ($1.98) per share, for a total transaction of £14,900 ($19,795.40). Also, insider Philippe Boisseau acquired 1,230 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 28th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 158 ($2.10) per share, for a total transaction of £1,943.40 ($2,581.91). Insiders have purchased 14,087 shares of company stock valued at $2,112,588 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.20% of the company's stock.

About Centrica

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.