UGI (NYSE:UGI) Cut to "Sell" at Wall Street Zen

Key Points

• Wall Street Zen downgraded UGI from “Hold” to “Sell.” Other analysts also lowered ratings or price targets, leaving the stock with an overall “Hold” consensus and an average target price of $42.
• UGI reported a quarterly loss of $0.20 per share, missing the $0.08 loss expected by analysts, while revenue of $1.33 billion fell short of the $1.50 billion consensus estimate.
• UGI shares opened at $35.38, near their 50-day moving average, with a market capitalization of approximately $7.59 billion; institutional investors own 82.34% of the stock.

UGI (NYSE:UGI - Get Free Report) was downgraded by investment analysts at Wall Street Zen from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report issued on Saturday.

A number of other research analysts have also commented on the company. Jefferies Financial Group restated a "hold" rating and issued a $40.00 target price (down from $45.00) on shares of UGI in a research note on Thursday, April 30th. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of UGI from a "buy (b)" rating to a "hold (c+)" rating in a report on Tuesday. Zacks Research cut shares of UGI from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on shares of UGI from $45.00 to $42.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, August 7th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, UGI has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $42.00.

UGI Trading Up 0.3%

Shares of UGI opened at $35.38 on Friday. UGI has a 12-month low of $31.62 and a 12-month high of $41.34. The company has a quick ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 1.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.83 and a beta of 0.93. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $35.41 and its 200 day moving average price is $36.25.

UGI (NYSE:UGI - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 6th. The utilities provider reported ($0.20) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.08) by ($0.12). UGI had a return on equity of 12.80% and a net margin of 9.20%.The firm had revenue of $1.33 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.50 billion. As a group, research analysts predict that UGI will post 2.85 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Kathleen Shea-Ballay sold 25,360 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $33.62, for a total transaction of $852,603.20. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 25,360 shares in the company, valued at $852,603.20. This trade represents a 50.00% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.57% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of UGI

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Miller Value Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of UGI during the second quarter worth approximately $4,179,000. Jupiter Topco LLC acquired a new position in shares of UGI in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $3,389,000. Hsbc Holdings PLC acquired a new position in shares of UGI in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,016,000. Ancora Advisors LLC bought a new stake in UGI during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $11,308,000. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought a new stake in UGI during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,665,000. 82.34% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About UGI

UGI Corporation NYSE: UGI is a publicly traded energy distribution company headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1882 as the United Gas Improvement Company, UGI has grown into a diversified provider of energy products and services. The company's operations are organized into three primary segments—AmeriGas Propane, UGI Utilities and UGI International—each focused on the delivery of propane, natural gas and related services to residential, commercial and industrial customers.

AmeriGas Propane, UGI's largest segment, is the leading retail propane distributor in the United States with a network of dealers serving customers in all 50 states.

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