Centrus Energy Sees Unusually Large Options Volume (NYSE:LEU)

Centrus Energy Corp. (NYSE:LEU - Get Free Report) was the recipient of some unusual options trading activity on Monday. Stock traders bought 3,352 put options on the company. This represents an increase of 24% compared to the average daily volume of 2,697 put options.

Centrus Energy Stock Up 2.6%

LEU traded up $3.67 during trading on Monday, hitting $146.78. 618,138 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 865,219. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.28 and a beta of 1.37. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $85.56 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $82.75. Centrus Energy has a 12-month low of $33.51 and a 12-month high of $152.72. The company has a current ratio of 2.93, a quick ratio of 2.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.09.

Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results 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%. Centrus Energy's revenue for the quarter was up 67.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned ($0.38) earnings per share. Analysts predict that Centrus Energy will post 2.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In related news, SVP John M. A. Donelson sold 3,732 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 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. Company insiders own 1.00% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Centrus Energy

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Cape Investment Advisory Inc. bought a new position in Centrus Energy in the fourth quarter valued at about $27,000. Stone House Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Centrus Energy during the 1st quarter valued at about $28,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its stake 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 purchasing an additional 192 shares during the period. State of Wyoming purchased a new position in shares of Centrus Energy in the fourth quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Comerica Bank grew its position in Centrus Energy by 589.5% during the first 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.

Analyst Ratings Changes

LEU has been the topic of several research reports. William Blair assumed coverage on shares of Centrus Energy in a research report on Wednesday, May 28th. They set an "outperform" rating on the stock. Evercore ISI started coverage on shares of Centrus Energy in a research report on Wednesday, May 14th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $145.00 price objective 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 target price for the company. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Centrus Energy to a "sell" rating in a report on Monday, February 10th. Finally, Citigroup assumed coverage on shares of Centrus Energy in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $104.00 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 issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $146.00.

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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