Spire Inc. (NYSE:SR) Receives Average Rating of "Moderate Buy" from Brokerages

Key Points

• Spire has a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating from 14 analysts, including seven buys, six holds, and one strong buy. The average 12-month price target is $92.50 versus a recent share price of $76.23.
• The company exceeded quarterly expectations, reporting an adjusted loss of $0.26 per share versus the $0.32 consensus estimate and revenue of $420.2 million, up 19.2% year over year.
• Spire declared a quarterly dividend of $0.825 per share, equivalent to $3.30 annually and a 4.3% yield. Institutional investors and hedge funds own approximately 87.36% of the stock.

Spire Inc. (NYSE:SR - Get Free Report) has earned a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" from the fourteen ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $92.50.

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Scotiabank assumed coverage on shares of Spire in a report on Tuesday. They set a "sector perform" rating and a $79.00 target price on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Spire from a "strong sell" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Saturday, August 8th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on shares of Spire from $91.00 to $88.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, September 18th. Huntington initiated coverage on shares of Spire in a research note on Monday, September 14th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $93.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Mizuho began coverage on shares of Spire in a report on Tuesday, July 7th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $88.00 target price on the stock.

Spire Stock Down 0.7%

SR stock opened at $76.23 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 0.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.61. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $81.19 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $84.06. The company has a market cap of $4.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.50, a P/E/G ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 0.54. Spire has a twelve month low of $75.71 and a twelve month high of $95.31.

Spire (NYSE:SR - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 5th. The utilities provider reported ($0.26) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.32) by $0.06. The company had revenue of $420.20 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $394.62 million. Spire had a return on equity of 8.65% and a net margin of 21.48%.The business's revenue was up 19.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.01 EPS. Spire has set its FY 2026 guidance at 3.900-4.100 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Spire will post 4.01 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Spire Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 11th will be paid a $0.8250 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 11th. This represents a $3.30 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.3%. Spire's dividend payout ratio is currently 36.79%.

Institutional Trading of Spire

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. MV Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in Spire in the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. SHP Wealth Management acquired a new stake in Spire during the 4th quarter valued at $35,000. Cassaday & Co Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Spire during the first quarter worth $43,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd boosted its position in Spire by 900.0% during the fourth quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 540 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 486 shares during the period. Finally, Global Retirement Partners LLC bought a new position in Spire during the second quarter worth $52,000. 87.36% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Spire

Spire Inc is a diversified natural gas company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. Through its regulated utility operations, the company distributes natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Missouri and Alabama.

Spire's business includes natural gas distribution, gas storage and transportation, and related energy services. Its operations also include natural gas marketing and midstream activities, which support the delivery and management of natural gas for utility and other customers.

The company traces its history to 1857, when it was established as Laclede Gas Light Company.

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