Centrica (LON:CNA) Stock Price Crosses Above 200 Day Moving Average Following Analyst Downgrade

Key Points

• Centrica shares rose above their 200-day moving average after an upgrade from Barclays, which set a new price target of GBX 210, up from GBX 180.
• Other analysts, including those from the Royal Bank of Canada and Berenberg Bank, have also raised their price targets for Centrica, contributing to a consensus target price of GBX 185.67.
• Insider activity at Centrica includes purchases totaling 4,673 shares in the last quarter, indicating potential confidence in the company's stock by its executives.

Centrica plc (LON:CNA - Get Free Report) passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Tuesday after Barclays upgraded the stock to an overweight rating. The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 161.46 and traded as high as GBX 177.10. Barclays now has a GBX 210 price target on the stock, up from their previous price target of GBX 180. Centrica shares last traded at GBX 176.25, with a volume of 897,322,875 shares changing hands.

A number of other research analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their target price on Centrica from GBX 175 to GBX 200 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 29th. Berenberg Bank boosted their price target on Centrica from GBX 155 to GBX 190 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, September 11th. Citigroup restated a "buy" rating and set a GBX 185 price target on shares of Centrica in a report on Friday, August 15th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Centrica from GBX 177 to GBX 179 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, August 15th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of GBX 185.67.

Insider Activity at Centrica

In related news, insider Philippe Boisseau bought 949 shares of Centrica stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 27th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of GBX 177 per share, for a total transaction of £1,679.73. Also, insider Sue Whalley bought 549 shares of Centrica stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 27th. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 177 per share, for a total transaction of £971.73. Insiders purchased 4,673 shares of company stock worth $788,765 over the last quarter. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Centrica Stock 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 50 day simple moving average of GBX 166.56 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 161.46. The stock has a market capitalization of £8.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -38.32, a price-to-earnings-growth 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 (EPS) for the quarter. Centrica had a return on equity of 25.16% and a net margin of 5.39%.

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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