Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich Boosts Holdings in Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE)

Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich lifted its stake in shares of Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE - Free Report) by 251.9% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 271,379 shares of the utilities provider's stock after purchasing an additional 194,255 shares during the quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich's holdings in Sempra Energy were worth $20,241,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. L & S Advisors Inc raised its stake in shares of Sempra Energy by 52.6% during the fourth quarter. L & S Advisors Inc now owns 41,601 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $3,649,000 after purchasing an additional 14,338 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC raised its position in Sempra Energy by 8.4% in the first quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 173,408 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $12,374,000 after acquiring an additional 13,433 shares in the last quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC raised its position in Sempra Energy by 171.2% in the first quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 11,107 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $793,000 after acquiring an additional 7,012 shares in the last quarter. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC purchased a new position in Sempra Energy in the first quarter worth $1,099,000. Finally, Stock Yards Bank & Trust Co. raised its position in Sempra Energy by 1,283.7% in the first quarter. Stock Yards Bank & Trust Co. now owns 265,485 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $18,945,000 after acquiring an additional 246,299 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.65% of the company's stock.

Sempra Energy Price Performance

Sempra Energy stock traded up $0.39 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $80.85. 2,137,979 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,156,543. The company has a market capitalization of $52.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.77, a P/E/G ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 0.63. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $76.32 and its 200-day simple moving average is $75.78. Sempra Energy has a 1 year low of $61.90 and a 1 year high of $95.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a current ratio of 0.57.

Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 8th. The utilities provider reported $1.44 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.32 by $0.12. The firm had revenue of $3.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.90 billion. Sempra Energy had a return on equity of 8.55% and a net margin of 22.15%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 4.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.34 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Sempra Energy will post 4.76 EPS for the current year.

Sempra Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 26th were given a dividend of $0.645 per share. This represents a $2.58 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.19%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 26th. Sempra Energy's dividend payout ratio is presently 56.70%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have issued reports on SRE shares. Morgan Stanley reiterated an "overweight" rating and issued a $88.00 price objective (up previously from $87.00) on shares of Sempra Energy in a research report on Wednesday, June 18th. Citigroup cut their price objective on Sempra Energy from $93.00 to $70.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price objective on Sempra Energy from $77.00 to $75.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Barclays dropped their price target on Sempra Energy from $72.00 to $71.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, July 10th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on Sempra Energy from $78.00 to $81.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, May 12th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $80.75.

Insider Transactions at Sempra Energy

In other Sempra Energy news, insider Diana L. Day sold 8,015 shares of Sempra Energy stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $74.26, for a total value of $595,193.90. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 16,969 shares in the company, valued at $1,260,117.94. The trade was a 32.08% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, SVP Alexander Lisa Larroque sold 1,576 shares of Sempra Energy stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $80.00, for a total value of $126,080.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 15,600 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,248,000. This trade represents a 9.18% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.27% of the company's stock.

Sempra Energy Company Profile

Sempra operates as an energy infrastructure company in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Sempra California, Sempra Texas Utilities, and Sempra Infrastructure. The Sempra California segment provides electric services; and natural gas services to San Diego County.