Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU) Shares Down 1.8% - Here's Why

Centrus Energy Corp. (NYSE:LEU - Get Free Report) shares dropped 1.8% on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $151.00 and last traded at $177.96. Approximately 1,388,170 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 65% from the average daily volume of 840,015 shares. The stock had previously closed at $181.18.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on LEU shares. Evercore ISI reissued an "outperform" rating and set a $205.00 price objective (up from $145.00) on shares of Centrus Energy in a report on Wednesday, June 18th. B. Riley reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $221.00 price target (up from $134.00) on shares of Centrus Energy in a report on Monday, June 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on Centrus Energy in a research note on Thursday. They set a "neutral" rating and a $148.00 price objective for the company. Craig Hallum initiated coverage on Centrus Energy in a research report on Tuesday, April 1st. They set a "buy" rating and a $129.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Citigroup began coverage on shares of Centrus Energy in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $104.00 target price for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Centrus Energy presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $165.63.

Centrus Energy Stock Performance

The business has a 50-day moving average price of $118.53 and a 200-day moving average price of $92.28. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.24 and a beta of 1.36. The company has a quick ratio of 2.46, a current ratio of 2.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.09.

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%. The business's revenue was up 67.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned ($0.38) EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Centrus Energy Corp. will post 2.63 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Centrus Energy

In related 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 value of $359,428.92. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 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. Insiders own 1.00% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Centrus Energy

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Nuveen Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Centrus Energy by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC now owns 29,226 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,947,000 after buying an additional 188 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Centrus Energy by 77.4% during the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 440 shares of the company's stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 192 shares during the last quarter. Old West Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Centrus Energy by 1.9% during the 4th quarter. Old West Investment Management LLC now owns 10,147 shares of the company's stock valued at $676,000 after buying an additional 192 shares during the last quarter. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of Centrus Energy by 16.2% during the 4th quarter. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 1,399 shares of the company's stock valued at $93,000 after buying an additional 195 shares during the last quarter. Finally, New York State Common Retirement Fund raised its stake in shares of Centrus Energy by 4.6% during the 1st quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 4,504 shares of the company's stock valued at $280,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors 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.