UGI Corporation (NYSE:UGI) Short Interest Update

Key Points

• UGI Corporation experienced a dramatic increase in short interest in July, rising by 444,185.7% to 9,330,000 shares compared to just 2,100 shares at the end of June.
• The company reported earnings per share of $2.21 for the last quarter, exceeding estimates, but its revenue of $2.67 billion fell short of analysts' expectations of $3.26 billion.
• UGI announced a quarterly dividend of $0.375 per share, yielding 4.2%, with a payout ratio currently at 61.73%.

UGI Corporation (NYSE:UGI - Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest during the month of July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totaling 9,330,000 shares, agrowthof444,185.7% from the June 30th total of 2,100 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,850,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 5.0 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,850,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 5.0 days.

UGI Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE UGI traded down $0.07 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $36.11. 484,955 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,956,265. UGI has a 52 week low of $23.09 and a 52 week high of $37.42. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $35.96 and a 200 day moving average price of $33.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 1.23 and a quick ratio of 1.05. The company has a market cap of $7.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.86, a PEG ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 1.05.

UGI (NYSE:UGI - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 7th. The utilities provider reported $2.21 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.80 by $0.41. The business had revenue of $2.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.26 billion. UGI had a net margin of 7.28% and a return on equity of 16.21%. The company's revenue was up 8.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.97 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that UGI will post 3.02 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

UGI Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 1st. Investors of record on Friday, May 16th were issued a dividend of $0.375 per share. This represents a $1.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 16th. UGI's payout ratio is presently 61.73%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have issued reports on UGI. Mizuho raised their target price on UGI from $38.00 to $39.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 15th. Wall Street Zen cut UGI from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, July 18th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Bessemer Group Inc. increased its stake in UGI by 216.7% in the 4th quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 893 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 611 shares in the last quarter. Altshuler Shaham Ltd purchased a new position in UGI during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. CX Institutional purchased a new position in UGI during the 1st quarter valued at about $30,000. GeoWealth Management LLC purchased a new position in UGI during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Finally, Private Trust Co. NA grew its stake in UGI by 36.1% during the 1st quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 1,395 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $46,000 after acquiring an additional 370 shares in the last quarter. 82.34% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About UGI

UGI Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, distributes, stores, transports, and markets energy products and related services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: AmeriGas Propane, UGI International, Midstream & Marketing, and UGI Utilities. It distributes propane to approximately 1.3 million residential, commercial/industrial, motor fuel, agricultural, and wholesale customers through 1,400 propane distribution locations.

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