Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:EXE) Given Consensus Recommendation of "Buy" by Analysts

Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:EXE - Get Free Report) has been given a consensus recommendation of "Buy" by the twenty analysts that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation, sixteen have issued a buy recommendation and three have given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $127.05.

Several brokerages recently issued reports on EXE. Stephens cut their target price on Chesapeake Energy from $123.00 to $118.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Truist Financial reduced their target price on shares of Chesapeake Energy from $133.00 to $131.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, March 17th. Barclays upgraded shares of Chesapeake Energy from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $115.00 to $122.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. UBS Group decreased their price objective on shares of Chesapeake Energy from $131.00 to $129.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 17th. Finally, Mizuho lifted their price target on Chesapeake Energy from $136.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 13th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Chesapeake Energy

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Inspire Investing LLC bought a new position in shares of Chesapeake Energy during the 1st quarter valued at about $312,000. Cim Investment Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Chesapeake Energy during the first quarter valued at about $252,000. Hodges Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in Chesapeake Energy during the 1st quarter worth approximately $12,921,000. Strs Ohio purchased a new position in shares of Chesapeake Energy in the first quarter worth $17,931,000. Finally, Mattson Financial Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of Chesapeake Energy in the first quarter valued at about $217,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.93% of the company's stock.

Chesapeake Energy Stock Up 1.3%

EXE traded up $1.50 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $116.46. The company had a trading volume of 2,313,726 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,370,338. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $109.84 and its 200 day moving average price is $104.97. Chesapeake Energy has a 52 week low of $81.66 and a 52 week high of $120.04. The company has a quick ratio of 2.00, a current ratio of 2.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. The company has a market capitalization of $27.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 71.89 and a beta of 0.49.

Chesapeake Energy (NASDAQ:EXE - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The company reported $2.02 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.85 by $0.17. Chesapeake Energy had a return on equity of 2.74% and a net margin of 6.07%. The company had revenue of $2.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.10 billion. On average, research analysts anticipate that Chesapeake Energy will post 1.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Chesapeake Energy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 15th were given a $0.575 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 15th. This represents a $2.30 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.97%. Chesapeake Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -42.91%.

About Chesapeake Energy

Expand Energy Corporation is an independent natural gas producer principally in the United States. Expand Energy Corporation, formerly known as Chesapeake Energy Corporation, is based in OKLAHOMA CITY.