Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU) Shares Up 3.3% - Here's Why

Shares of Centrus Energy Corp. (NYSE:LEU - Get Free Report) traded up 3.3% during trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as $142.48 and last traded at $140.82. 331,652 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 57% from the average session volume of 775,401 shares. The stock had previously closed at $136.34.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have weighed in on LEU shares. Evercore ISI assumed coverage on shares of Centrus Energy in a report on Wednesday, May 14th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $145.00 price objective for the company. Bank of America began coverage on Centrus Energy in a research note on Wednesday. They issued a "buy" rating and a $160.00 price target for the company. Wall Street Zen raised Centrus Energy to a "sell" rating in a report on Monday, February 10th. 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. Finally, William Blair started coverage on Centrus Energy in a research report on Wednesday, May 28th. They issued an "outperform" rating for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $146.00.

Centrus Energy Trading Up 5.0%

The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $85.56 and a 200 day simple moving average of $82.68. 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 company has a market capitalization of $2.40 billion, a PE ratio of 32.45 and a beta of 1.37.

Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The company reported $1.60 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates 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 period last year, the firm earned ($0.38) EPS. Centrus Energy's quarterly revenue was up 67.3% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts anticipate that Centrus Energy Corp. will post 2.63 earnings per share for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CFO Kevin J. Harrill sold 1,728 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.00, for a total value of $217,728.00. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, SVP John M. A. Donelson sold 3,732 shares of Centrus Energy stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 13th. The stock was 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. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Centrus Energy

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

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.