Choreo LLC Sells 3,921 Shares of Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE)

Choreo LLC reduced its stake in shares of Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE - Free Report) by 14.7% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 22,729 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 3,921 shares during the quarter. Choreo LLC's holdings in Sempra Energy were worth $1,637,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. L & S Advisors Inc boosted its position in Sempra Energy by 52.6% during the 4th quarter. L & S Advisors Inc now owns 41,601 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $3,649,000 after purchasing an additional 14,338 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its position in Sempra Energy by 8.4% during the 1st quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 173,408 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $12,374,000 after purchasing an additional 13,433 shares during the period. Merit Financial Group LLC boosted its position in Sempra Energy by 171.2% during the 1st quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 11,107 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $793,000 after purchasing an additional 7,012 shares during the period. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC acquired a new position in Sempra Energy during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $1,099,000. Finally, Lee Danner & Bass Inc. boosted its position in Sempra Energy by 81.0% during the 1st quarter. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. now owns 46,277 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $3,302,000 after purchasing an additional 20,707 shares during the period. 89.65% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Sempra Energy Trading Down 0.7%

SRE stock traded down $0.56 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $80.26. 420,891 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,622,264. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a current ratio of 0.57. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $76.32 and its 200-day moving average price is $75.73. The company has a market cap of $52.32 billion, a PE ratio of 17.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 0.63. Sempra Energy has a one year low of $61.90 and a one year high of $95.77.

Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 8th. The utilities provider reported $1.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.32 by $0.12. Sempra Energy had a return on equity of 8.55% and a net margin of 22.15%. The business had revenue of $3.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.90 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.34 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 4.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that Sempra Energy will post 4.76 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Sempra Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 26th were issued a dividend of $0.645 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 26th. This represents a $2.58 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.21%. Sempra Energy's payout ratio is currently 56.70%.

Insider Transactions at Sempra Energy

In other news, insider Diana L. Day sold 8,015 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $74.26, for a total transaction 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. This trade represents a 32.08% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, SVP Alexander Lisa Larroque sold 1,576 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.00, for a total transaction of $126,080.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 15,600 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,248,000. The trade was a 9.18% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.27% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

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

Sempra Energy 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.