UGI (NYSE:UGI) Downgraded to "Buy" Rating by Wall Street Zen

UGI (NYSE:UGI - Get Free Report) was downgraded by equities researchers at Wall Street Zen from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report issued on Friday.

Separately, Mizuho increased their price target on UGI from $38.00 to $39.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 15th.

UGI Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE UGI traded up $0.32 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $36.34. 1,269,847 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,049,609. The company has a market cap of $7.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.95, a PEG ratio of 2.21 and a beta of 1.05. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $35.79 and a 200 day moving average price of $33.23. UGI has a 52 week low of $23.09 and a 52 week high of $36.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 1.23 and a quick ratio of 1.05.

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

Institutional Trading of UGI

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Proficio Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in UGI in the fourth quarter worth approximately $582,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in shares of UGI in the 4th quarter worth $6,820,000. HighTower Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of UGI by 7.6% in the 4th quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 111,795 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $3,156,000 after acquiring an additional 7,895 shares during the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of UGI by 100.2% during the fourth quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 4,150 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $117,000 after purchasing an additional 2,077 shares during the period. Finally, Swiss National Bank lifted its holdings in shares of UGI by 3.2% during the fourth quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 422,300 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $11,922,000 after purchasing an additional 13,100 shares during 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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