Entropy Technologies LP Purchases Shares of 35,477 Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE)

Key Points

• Entropy Technologies LP acquired 35,477 shares of Sempra Energy, totaling approximately $2.53 million, indicating a growing interest from institutional investors in the company.
• Sempra Energy's stock has a 52-week range from $61.90 to $95.77, and as of the latest trading session, it opened at $81.74.
• The company reported quarterly earnings of $0.89 EPS, exceeding expectations, while revenue for the quarter was $3 billion, down 0.4% year-over-year.

Entropy Technologies LP purchased a new stake in Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE - Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 35,477 shares of the utilities provider's stock, valued at approximately $2,532,000.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Mattson Financial Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Sempra Energy during the fourth quarter worth $30,000. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Sempra Energy in the 1st quarter worth approximately $38,000. Park Square Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Sempra Energy in the 4th quarter valued at $41,000. Eastern Bank increased its position in shares of Sempra Energy by 73.7% during the first quarter. Eastern Bank now owns 580 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 246 shares during the period. Finally, Cary Street Partners Financial LLC acquired a new position in Sempra Energy in the fourth quarter valued at $56,000. 89.65% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on SRE shares. Barclays lowered their price objective 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. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on Sempra Energy from $78.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, May 12th. 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 note on Wednesday, June 18th. Finally, Citigroup restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $80.00 price target (up from $70.00) on shares of Sempra Energy in a report on Monday, August 4th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $81.58.

Sempra Energy Price Performance

NYSE SRE traded down $0.23 during trading on Thursday, reaching $81.99. The company's stock had a trading volume of 2,774,753 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,578,139. Sempra Energy has a one year low of $61.90 and a one year high of $95.77. The stock has a market capitalization of $53.50 billion, a PE ratio of 19.80, a P/E/G ratio of 2.30 and a beta of 0.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93, a current ratio of 0.48 and a quick ratio of 0.41. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $77.34 and a 200 day moving average of $75.76.

Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 7th. The utilities provider reported $0.89 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.82 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $3 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.35 billion. Sempra Energy had a net margin of 20.28% and a return on equity of 8.42%. The business's quarterly revenue was down .4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.89 earnings per share. Analysts expect that Sempra Energy will post 4.76 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Sempra Energy news, SVP Alexander Lisa Larroque sold 1,576 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $80.00, for a total transaction of $126,080.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly 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 sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.27% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About Sempra Energy

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.