BW LPG Limited (NYSE:BWLP) Stock Rated "Moderate Buy" by Sell-Side Brokerages

Key Points

• Analysts have a “Moderate Buy” consensus on BW LPG, with four buy ratings and one hold; several brokerages recently upgraded the stock to buy.
• BW LPG shares opened at $24.46, near their 50-day average, with a $3.70 billion market cap and a 52-week range of $11.72 to $26.71. The company’s latest quarterly EPS of $0.79 missed the $1.17 consensus estimate, despite revenue of $1.01 billion.
• The company increased its quarterly dividend to NOK 8.89 from NOK 6.20, implying an annualized dividend of $35.57 and a reported yield of 145.4%; several institutional investors also recently initiated stakes.

BW LPG Limited (NYSE:BWLP - Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the five research firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company.

BWLP has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Weiss Ratings raised shares of BW LPG from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "buy (b)" rating in a report on Thursday, October 8th. Clarkson Capital raised BW LPG from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, August 20th. Pareto Securities upgraded BW LPG from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, September 10th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of BW LPG from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Saturday, August 8th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On BW LPG

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Pinnacle Holdings LLC purchased a new position in BW LPG during the second quarter valued at approximately $52,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of BW LPG in the 2nd quarter worth $57,000. Blue Trust Inc. bought a new position in shares of BW LPG in the 1st quarter worth $65,000. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new stake in shares of BW LPG during the 2nd quarter worth $81,000. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp purchased a new stake in shares of BW LPG during the 1st quarter worth $183,000.

BW LPG Trading Down 1.0%

Shares of NYSE BWLP opened at $24.46 on Tuesday. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $24.58 and its 200-day moving average price is $21.53. The company has a market cap of $3.70 billion, a PE ratio of 8.32 and a beta of 0.97. BW LPG has a 52-week low of $11.72 and a 52-week high of $26.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a current ratio of 1.44.

BW LPG (NYSE:BWLP - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Saturday, August 29th. The company reported $0.79 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.17 by ($0.38). BW LPG had a return on equity of 22.48% and a net margin of 12.64%. The company had revenue of $1.01 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $318.01 million.

BW LPG Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 8th were issued a NOK 8.89 dividend. This is a boost from BW LPG's previous quarterly dividend of NOK 6.20. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 8th. This represents a $35.57 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 145.4%. BW LPG's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 129.25%.

BW LPG Company Profile

BW LPG Limited NYSE: BWLP is a Singapore-based maritime transportation company focused on the seaborne transportation of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The company owns and operates a fleet of very large gas carriers (VLGCs), which transport propane, butane and other LPG products between major production and consumption markets.

In addition to vessel ownership and operation, BW LPG provides commercial, technical and fleet-management services. The company has invested in LPG dual-fuel propulsion, allowing certain vessels to use LPG as a marine fuel, and participates in related LPG infrastructure and distribution activities through its businesses and affiliates.

BW LPG is part of BW Group, a global maritime organization with activities spanning gas shipping, offshore energy and related services.

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