Liberty Global (NASDAQ:LBTYA) Hits New 12-Month Low - Here's Why

Key Points

• Liberty Global shares fell 3.8% to a new 52-week low of $7.48 during Tuesday trading, well below their 50-day and 200-day moving averages.
• The company reported weaker-than-expected quarterly results, with an adjusted loss of $1.07 per share versus the $0.48 consensus estimate and revenue of $1.17 billion versus $1.34 billion expected.
• Analyst sentiment remains cautious: Liberty Global has an average “Hold” rating and a $13.22 consensus price target, while several firms recently reduced their price objectives. Institutional investors nonetheless own 37.2% of the company and several major funds increased their stakes.

Liberty Global Ltd (NASDAQ:LBTYA - Get Free Report)'s stock price hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Tuesday. The company traded as low as $7.48 and last traded at $7.50, with a volume of 5,058,799 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $7.80.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on LBTYA. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "sell (d-)" rating on shares of Liberty Global in a research note on Friday, July 31st. Barclays cut their price objective on Liberty Global from $13.00 to $10.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, August 18th. UBS Group reduced their price objective on Liberty Global from $12.10 to $11.90 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 4th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Liberty Global to a "sell" rating in a research note on Saturday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Liberty Global currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $13.22.

Liberty Global Trading Down 3.8%

The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $9.86 and a 200 day moving average price of $10.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.28.

Liberty Global (NASDAQ:LBTYA - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, July 24th. The company reported ($1.07) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.48) by ($0.59). The company had revenue of $1.17 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.34 billion. Liberty Global had a negative return on equity of 28.83% and a negative net margin of 62.12%. Research analysts expect that Liberty Global Ltd will post -1.47 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Liberty Global

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. ACR Alpine Capital Research LLC lifted its stake in shares of Liberty Global by 9.7% in the first quarter. ACR Alpine Capital Research LLC now owns 23,644,817 shares of the company's stock worth $285,866,000 after buying an additional 2,097,847 shares during the last quarter. Rubric Capital Management LP boosted its holdings in shares of Liberty Global by 17.3% during the 1st quarter. Rubric Capital Management LP now owns 11,752,855 shares of the company's stock worth $142,092,000 after buying an additional 1,734,423 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its stake in Liberty Global by 6.3% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 8,832,267 shares of the company's stock valued at $106,782,000 after buying an additional 521,750 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its stake in Liberty Global by 8.4% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 3,245,059 shares of the company's stock valued at $36,896,000 after buying an additional 251,727 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Wilshire Securities Management Inc. grew its stake in Liberty Global by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. First Wilshire Securities Management Inc. now owns 2,341,419 shares of the company's stock valued at $28,308,000 after buying an additional 34,019 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 37.20% of the company's stock.

Liberty Global Company Profile

Liberty Global plc is an international telecommunications and media company that invests in and operates broadband, mobile, fixed-line voice and television businesses. Its services generally include high-speed internet, wireless connectivity, digital television, streaming and related communications products for residential and business customers.

The company has operations and strategic interests across Europe. Its portfolio includes Sunrise in Switzerland and Telenet in Belgium, while Liberty Global also holds significant joint-venture interests in Virgin Media O2 in the United Kingdom and VodafoneZiggo in the Netherlands.

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