Centrica (LON:CNA) Share Price Passes Above 200-Day Moving Average - Time to Sell?

Key Points

• Centrica's shares have surpassed their 200-day moving average, reaching GBX 173.15 ($2.31) during trading, indicating potential upward momentum.
• Several analysts have upgraded their price targets for Centrica, with predictions ranging from GBX 179 to as high as GBX 200, while maintaining a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy."
• Insider purchases of Centrica stock totaled over £1,600 on September 25, reflecting confidence from executives in the company's performance.

Shares of Centrica plc (LON:CNA - Get Free Report) crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 159.22 ($2.12) and traded as high as GBX 173.15 ($2.31). Centrica shares last traded at GBX 172.29 ($2.30), with a volume of 2,147,000,000 shares trading hands.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

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

Centrica Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 66.48, a current ratio of 1.77 and a quick ratio of 0.40. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 164.50 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 159.22. The stock has a market capitalization of £8.04 billion, a PE ratio of -3,757.61, a P/E/G ratio of 0.45 and a beta of 1.08.

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

Insider Activity at Centrica

In other Centrica news, insider Philippe Boisseau purchased 1,011 shares of Centrica stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 25th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 166 per share, for a total transaction of £1,678.26. Also, insider Sue Whalley acquired 586 shares of Centrica stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 25th. The shares were purchased at an average price of GBX 166 per share, for a total transaction of £972.76. Over the last quarter, insiders bought 4,210 shares of company stock worth $692,324. Company insiders own 0.22% 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.

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