Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU) Shares Gap Up - Here's Why

Centrus Energy Corp. (NYSE:LEU - Get Free Report) gapped up before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $143.11, but opened at $149.55. Centrus Energy shares last traded at $149.36, with a volume of 236,524 shares.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

LEU has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Citigroup began coverage on shares of Centrus Energy in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $104.00 price objective on the stock. Bank of America began coverage on Centrus Energy in a research note on Wednesday, June 4th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $160.00 price target on the stock. Craig Hallum started coverage on Centrus Energy in a research report on Tuesday, April 1st. They set a "buy" rating and a $129.00 price objective for the company. Evercore ISI initiated coverage on Centrus Energy in a report on Wednesday, May 14th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $145.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, William Blair initiated coverage on Centrus Energy in a report on Wednesday, May 28th. They issued an "outperform" rating for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $146.00.

Centrus Energy Trading Up 8.4%

The company has a fifty day moving average of $88.98 and a two-hundred day moving average of $83.60. The company has a quick ratio of 2.46, a current ratio of 2.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.09. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.86 and a beta of 1.37.

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

Insider Buying and Selling at Centrus Energy

In other Centrus Energy news, SVP John M. A. Donelson sold 3,732 shares of the 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 sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Kevin J. Harrill sold 1,728 shares of Centrus Energy stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $126.00, for a total transaction of $217,728.00. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.00% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Centrus Energy

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Cape Investment Advisory Inc. acquired a new stake in Centrus Energy in the fourth quarter valued at $27,000. Stone House Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Centrus Energy in the 1st quarter worth about $28,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Centrus Energy by 77.4% in the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 440 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 192 shares in the last quarter. State of Wyoming acquired a new stake in Centrus Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. Finally, Comerica Bank increased its holdings in Centrus Energy by 589.5% during the 1st quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 655 shares of the company's stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 560 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 49.96% of the company's stock.

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.