Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU) Trading 4.6% Higher - Here's Why

Shares of Centrus Energy Corp. (NYSE:LEU - Get Free Report) were up 4.6% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $182.39 and last traded at $180.96. Approximately 1,096,463 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 35% from the average daily volume of 810,687 shares. The stock had previously closed at $173.03.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on LEU shares. Citigroup started coverage on Centrus Energy in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $104.00 price objective on the stock. William Blair started coverage on Centrus Energy in a report on Wednesday, May 28th. They set an "outperform" rating on the stock. HC Wainwright initiated coverage on Centrus Energy in a report on Tuesday, February 25th. They set a "buy" rating and a $300.00 price objective on the stock. Evercore ISI reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and issued a $205.00 target price (up from $145.00) on shares of Centrus Energy in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Craig Hallum initiated coverage on Centrus Energy in a research report on Tuesday, April 1st. They issued a "buy" rating and a $129.00 target price on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $154.57.

Centrus Energy Stock Up 5.0%

The company has a current ratio of 2.93, a quick ratio of 2.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.09. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.24 billion, a PE ratio of 43.09 and a beta of 1.37. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $106.91 and a two-hundred day moving average of $88.65.

Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 7th. The company reported $1.60 EPS for the quarter, beating 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 period last year, the firm earned ($0.38) EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 67.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast 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 firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $96.31, for a total value of $359,428.92. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Kevin J. Harrill sold 1,728 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 30th. The shares were 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. 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 LEU. Anatole Investment Management Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Centrus Energy during the fourth quarter worth about $27,880,000. Reaves W H & Co. Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Centrus Energy during the fourth quarter worth about $15,215,000. Soros Fund Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Centrus Energy during the fourth quarter worth about $14,821,000. Voloridge Investment Management LLC increased its position 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 worth $15,664,000 after acquiring an additional 218,364 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Granahan Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Centrus Energy during the first quarter worth about $13,440,000. 49.96% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.