Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU) Reaches New 52-Week High on Better-Than-Expected Earnings

Key Points

• Centrus Energy Corp. shares reached a new 12-month high of $264.01 following a strong earnings report, with the latest trading price at $257.62.
• The company reported an earnings per share (EPS) of $1.59, significantly exceeding analysts' expectations of $0.58, despite a 18.3% decline in revenue compared to the previous year.
• Several analysts have rated Centrus Energy as a "buy" or "strong buy," contributing to a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" with an average price target of $178.64.

Centrus Energy Corp. (NYSE:LEU - Get Free Report)'s share price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday following a stronger than expected earnings report. The stock traded as high as $264.01 and last traded at $257.62, with a volume of 898363 shares. The stock had previously closed at $213.80.

The company reported $1.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.58 by $1.01. Centrus Energy had a return on equity of 84.09% and a net margin of 16.56%. Centrus Energy's quarterly revenue was down 18.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.89 earnings per share.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently issued reports on LEU. B. Riley reaffirmed a "buy" rating and issued a $221.00 price objective (up from $134.00) on shares of Centrus Energy in a research note on Monday, June 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Centrus Energy from $150.00 to $164.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday. William Blair reiterated an "outperform" rating on shares of Centrus Energy in a report on Wednesday, July 9th. Stifel Nicolaus began coverage on Centrus Energy in a report on Friday, July 11th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $220.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Bank of America reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $285.00 price target (up from $210.00) on shares of Centrus Energy in a report on Thursday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Centrus Energy has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $195.73.

Insider Buying and Selling at Centrus Energy

In other Centrus Energy news, SVP John M. A. Donelson sold 3,732 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $96.31, for a total transaction of $359,428.92. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Kevin J. Harrill sold 1,728 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, May 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.00, for a total value of $217,728.00. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 1.00% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Stone House Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Centrus Energy in the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. State of Wyoming purchased a new position in shares of Centrus Energy in the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Centrus Energy by 157.7% in the 2nd quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 183 shares of the company's stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 112 shares during the period. USA Financial Formulas purchased a new position in Centrus Energy during the 2nd quarter worth $35,000. Finally, Harbour Investments Inc. grew its stake in Centrus Energy by 1,181.3% during the 2nd quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 205 shares of the company's stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 189 shares during the last quarter. 49.96% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Centrus Energy Trading Down 5.0%

The company has a 50 day moving average of $191.90 and a two-hundred day moving average of $121.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.09, a quick ratio of 2.46 and a current ratio of 2.93. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.80 billion, a PE ratio of 50.60 and a beta of 1.35.

About Centrus Energy

Centrus Energy Corp. supplies nuclear fuel components and services for the nuclear power industry in the United States, Belgium, Japan, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) and Technical Solutions. The LEU segment sells separative work units (SWU) components of LEU; natural uranium hexafluoride, uranium concentrates, and uranium conversion; and enriched uranium products to utilities that operate nuclear power plants.