Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU) Trading 4.6% Higher - Still a Buy?

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

LEU has been the topic of several recent 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 target price on the stock. HC Wainwright initiated coverage on shares of Centrus Energy in a report on Tuesday, February 25th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $300.00 price target on the stock. Evercore ISI restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $205.00 price objective (up previously from $145.00) on shares of Centrus Energy in a research report on Wednesday. William Blair initiated coverage on shares of Centrus Energy in a report on Wednesday, May 28th. They set an "outperform" rating for the company. Finally, Craig Hallum assumed coverage on Centrus Energy in a report on Tuesday, April 1st. They set a "buy" rating and a $129.00 price target on the stock. One 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 company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $154.57.

Centrus Energy Stock Performance

The company's 50-day moving average price is $101.99 and its 200 day moving average price is $87.04. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.08 billion, a PE ratio of 41.03 and a beta of 1.37. 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 released 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 net margin of 16.56% and a return on equity of 84.09%. The company's revenue was up 67.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned ($0.38) earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that Centrus Energy Corp. will post 2.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Centrus Energy

In related news, CFO Kevin J. Harrill sold 1,728 shares of the firm's 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 sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, SVP John M. A. Donelson sold 3,732 shares of Centrus Energy 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 disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 1.00% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Centrus Energy

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Nuveen Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in Centrus Energy by 0.6% in the fourth quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC now owns 29,226 shares of the company's stock worth $1,947,000 after purchasing an additional 188 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its holdings 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 period. Old West Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings 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 period. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Centrus Energy by 16.2% in the 4th quarter. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 1,399 shares of the company's stock worth $93,000 after buying an additional 195 shares during the last quarter. Finally, New York State Common Retirement Fund grew its holdings in shares of Centrus Energy by 4.6% in the first quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 4,504 shares of the company's stock worth $280,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the period. 49.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.

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