Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU) Shares Gap Down - Here's What Happened

Centrus Energy Corp. (NYSE:LEU - Get Free Report)'s share price gapped down prior to trading on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $181.18, but opened at $163.46. Centrus Energy shares last traded at $169.35, with a volume of 901,551 shares traded.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently issued reports on LEU. B. Riley reissued a "buy" rating and set a $221.00 price objective (up previously from $134.00) on shares of Centrus Energy in a research note on Monday. Citigroup started coverage on Centrus Energy in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $104.00 price objective on the stock. Evercore ISI reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $205.00 price objective (up previously from $145.00) on shares of Centrus Energy in a report on Wednesday, June 18th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed coverage on Centrus Energy in a report on Thursday. They set a "neutral" rating and a $148.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Craig Hallum assumed coverage on Centrus Energy in a research report on Tuesday, April 1st. They issued a "buy" rating and a $129.00 price target on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $165.63.

Centrus Energy Price Performance

The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $116.50 and a 200-day moving average price of $91.50. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.87 billion, a PE ratio of 38.24 and a beta of 1.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.09, a quick ratio of 2.46 and a current ratio of 2.93.

Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The company reported $1.60 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.08) by $1.68. Centrus Energy had a return on equity of 84.09% and a net margin of 16.56%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted ($0.38) EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 67.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts forecast that Centrus Energy Corp. will post 2.63 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Centrus Energy

In other news, CFO Kevin J. Harrill sold 1,728 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.00, for a total value of $217,728.00. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, SVP John M. A. Donelson sold 3,732 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $96.31, for a total value of $359,428.92. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 1.00% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Centrus Energy

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of LEU. Anatole Investment Management Ltd acquired a new position in Centrus Energy in the 4th quarter worth about $27,880,000. Reaves W H & Co. Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Centrus Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $15,215,000. Soros Fund Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Centrus Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $14,821,000. Voloridge Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Centrus Energy by 1,300.5% during the fourth quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC now owns 235,155 shares of the company's stock valued at $15,664,000 after acquiring an additional 218,364 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Granahan Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Centrus Energy during the first quarter valued at approximately $13,440,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 49.96% of the company's stock.

Centrus Energy Company Profile

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.