Equinor ASA (NYSE:EQNR) Downgraded by UBS Group to Sell

UBS Group downgraded shares of Equinor ASA (NYSE:EQNR - Free Report) from a neutral rating to a sell rating in a research note released on Tuesday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports.

A number of other analysts have also issued reports on EQNR. Barclays lowered shares of Equinor ASA from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. Redburn Atlantic downgraded shares of Equinor ASA from a "buy" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered shares of Equinor ASA from a "sector perform" rating to an "underperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a "neutral" rating on shares of Equinor ASA in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut Equinor ASA from an "overweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating and set a $22.70 price objective on the stock. in a research note on Monday, May 12th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $22.71.

Equinor ASA Stock Down 1.4%

Shares of Equinor ASA stock traded down $0.38 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $25.54. 1,933,476 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,775,387. Equinor ASA has a twelve month low of $21.41 and a twelve month high of $28.98. The company has a market cap of $71.31 billion, a PE ratio of 8.08, a PEG ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a quick ratio of 1.27, a current ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $24.57 and a 200-day simple moving average of $24.14.

Equinor ASA (NYSE:EQNR - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The company reported $0.66 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.83 by ($0.17). Equinor ASA had a net margin of 8.07% and a return on equity of 18.44%. The business had revenue of $27.14 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $27.16 billion. Equities research analysts anticipate that Equinor ASA will post 3.46 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Equinor ASA Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 16th were issued a dividend of $0.304 per share. This represents a $1.22 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.76%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 16th. Equinor ASA's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 38.61%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Equinor ASA

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Sound Income Strategies LLC lifted its stake in shares of Equinor ASA by 725.4% in the 1st quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 974 shares of the company's stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 856 shares during the period. GeoWealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Equinor ASA by 254.5% during the fourth quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC now owns 1,372 shares of the company's stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 985 shares during the period. Montag A & Associates Inc. bought a new stake in Equinor ASA during the first quarter worth approximately $53,000. Wayfinding Financial LLC acquired a new stake in Equinor ASA in the first quarter worth approximately $54,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in Equinor ASA during the 1st quarter valued at $57,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 5.51% of the company's stock.

About Equinor ASA

Equinor ASA, an energy company, engages in the exploration, production, transportation, refining, and marketing of petroleum and other forms of energy in Norway and internationally. It operates through Exploration & Production Norway; Exploration & Production International; Exploration & Production USA; Marketing, Midstream & Processing; Renewables; and Other segments.