Centrica (LON:CNA) Stock Price Passes Above 200-Day Moving Average - Here's Why

Key Points

• Centrica plc's stock has recently surpassed its 200-day moving average, trading as high as GBX 170.63 ($2.29), indicating positive momentum in the market.
• Analysts have raised their price targets for Centrica, with Royal Bank of Canada increasing theirs from GBX 175 to GBX 200 and four analysts rating the stock as a Buy.
• Insider buying activity was noted, with executives acquiring shares at GBX 166, reflecting confidence in the company's future performance.

Centrica plc (LON:CNA - Get Free Report) shares passed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of GBX 157.85 ($2.12) and traded as high as GBX 170.63 ($2.29). Centrica shares last traded at GBX 167.95 ($2.26), with a volume of 17,209,082 shares.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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

Centrica Stock Down 1.7%

The company has a current ratio of 1.77, a quick ratio of 0.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 66.48. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is GBX 163.47 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 157.85. The stock has a market capitalization of £7.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -3,651.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.45 and a beta of 1.08.

Centrica (LON:CNA - Get Free Report) last announced 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 net margin of 5.39% and a return on equity of 25.16%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Centrica

In other Centrica news, insider Philippe Boisseau acquired 1,011 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 25th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 166 per share, with a total value of £1,678.26. Also, insider Sue Whalley acquired 586 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 25th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of GBX 166 per share, for a total transaction of £972.76. Over the last quarter, insiders have bought 4,226 shares of company stock valued at $692,342. 0.34% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. This story was reviewed by MarketBeat's editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.