ENI (NYSE:E) Sets New 12-Month Low - Should You Sell?

Eni S.p.A. (NYSE:E - Get Free Report)'s share price reached a new 52-week low during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $25.86 and last traded at $25.88, with a volume of 156582 shares. The stock had previously closed at $26.45.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on E. UBS Group lowered ENI from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of ENI from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 25th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an "equal weight" rating and issued a $31.60 target price (down from $37.50) on shares of ENI in a research note on Tuesday, January 7th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, ENI presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $31.60.

ENI Trading Up 4.0 %

The company has a market cap of $44.73 billion, a PE ratio of 15.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a current ratio of 1.27, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $29.22 and a two-hundred day moving average of $29.09.

ENI Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a -- dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 7th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 25th were given a $0.3549 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 5.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 25th. ENI's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 85.96%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On ENI

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in E. NBC Securities Inc. raised its stake in shares of ENI by 121,000.0% during the 1st quarter. NBC Securities Inc. now owns 9,688 shares of the oil and gas exploration company's stock valued at $299,000 after purchasing an additional 9,680 shares during the period. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of ENI by 8.2% during the first quarter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC now owns 35,796 shares of the oil and gas exploration company's stock valued at $1,107,000 after buying an additional 2,726 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings in shares of ENI by 5,369.9% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 104,420 shares of the oil and gas exploration company's stock worth $3,376,000 after buying an additional 102,511 shares in the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its position in shares of ENI by 23,744.2% in the first quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 10,253 shares of the oil and gas exploration company's stock valued at $317,000 after acquiring an additional 10,210 shares during the period. Finally, Forum Financial Management LP grew its stake in ENI by 55.0% during the fourth quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 28,823 shares of the oil and gas exploration company's stock valued at $789,000 after acquiring an additional 10,223 shares in the last quarter. 1.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

ENI Company Profile

Eni SpA engages in the exploration, production, refining, and sale of oil, gas, electricity, and chemicals. It operates through the following segments: Exploration and Production, Global Gas and LNG Portfolio, Refining & Marketing and Chemicals, Power & Renewables, and Corporate and Other Activities.