Charter Communications (NASDAQ:CHTR) Sets New 12-Month Low - Time to Sell?

Key Points

• Charter Communications hit a new 52-week low of $268.40 during trading, reflecting ongoing market challenges.
• Analysts hold mixed opinions on the stock, with three rated as a sell and an average target price of $410.59, indicating cautious optimism among some investors.
• CEO Christopher L. Winfrey purchased shares worth over $1 million, suggesting confidence in the company’s future despite recent stock performance.

Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR - Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week low during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $268.40 and last traded at $268.25, with a volume of 311167 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $269.36.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

CHTR has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Wolfe Research raised shares of Charter Communications from an "underperform" rating to a "peer perform" rating in a report on Friday, June 20th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Charter Communications from $380.00 to $400.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Monday, April 28th. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Charter Communications from $341.00 to $275.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price target on shares of Charter Communications from $430.00 to $370.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 28th. Finally, Citigroup boosted their price target on shares of Charter Communications from $425.00 to $445.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, April 28th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $410.59.

Charter Communications Price Performance

The company has a current ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.57. The firm has a market cap of $36.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.59 and a beta of 1.02. The company's 50-day moving average is $379.61 and its 200-day moving average is $370.70.

Charter Communications (NASDAQ:CHTR - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 25th. The company reported $9.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $10.06 by ($0.88). The business had revenue of $13.77 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.76 billion. Charter Communications had a net margin of 9.53% and a return on equity of 26.77%. Charter Communications's revenue was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $8.49 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Charter Communications, Inc. will post 38.16 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other Charter Communications news, CEO Christopher L. Winfrey bought 3,670 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 31st. The shares were bought at an average price of $273.10 per share, for a total transaction of $1,002,277.00. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer directly owned 70,243 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $19,183,363.30. The trade was a 5.51% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Balan Nair acquired 360 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 31st. The stock was purchased at an average price of $274.21 per share, with a total value of $98,715.60. Following the purchase, the director owned 9,622 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,638,448.62. The trade was a 3.89% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders own 0.83% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Hussman Strategic Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in Charter Communications by 40.0% in the 2nd quarter. Hussman Strategic Advisors Inc. now owns 14,700 shares of the company's stock worth $6,010,000 after buying an additional 4,200 shares during the period. Corton Capital Inc. bought a new position in Charter Communications in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $506,000. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its holdings in Charter Communications by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 92,561 shares of the company's stock worth $37,840,000 after buying an additional 407 shares during the period. Sigma Planning Corp purchased a new stake in Charter Communications in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $382,000. Finally, State of Michigan Retirement System lifted its stake in Charter Communications by 3.4% in the 2nd quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 27,097 shares of the company's stock worth $11,078,000 after purchasing an additional 900 shares in the last quarter. 81.76% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Charter Communications Company Profile

Charter Communications, Inc operates as a broadband connectivity and cable operator company serving residential and commercial customers in the United States. The company offers subscription-based internet, video, and mobile and voice services; a suite of broadband connectivity services, including fixed internet, WiFi, and mobile; Advanced WiFi services; Spectrum Security Shield; in-home WiFi, which provides customers with high performance wireless routers and managed WiFi services to enhance their fixed wireless internet experience; out-of-home WiFi; and Spectrum WiFi services.