Centrica plc operates as an integrated energy company in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, North America, and internationally. The company operates through British Gas Services & Solutions, British Gas Energy, Centrica Business Solutions, Bord Gáis Energy, Energy Marketing & Trading, and Upstream segments. It supplies gas and electricity to residential customers, as well as offers energy-related services; and generates power from nuclear assets. The company also provides installation, repair, and maintenance services for domestic central heating, plumbing and drains, home electrical, and gas and kitchen appliances; and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment, as well as offers breakdown services. In addition, it is involved in the procurement, trading, and optimization of energy; procurement and sale of LNG; and supplies energy efficiency solutions and technologies to residential customers. Further, the company produces and processes gas and oil; develops new fields to maintain reserves; constructs, owns, and exploits infrastructure; and engages in the social enterprise investment fund activities. Additionally, it provides vehicle leasing, commercial, and insurance services, as well as energy management products and services; and operates a gas storage and franchise network. The company was formerly known as Yieldtop plc and changed its name to Centrica plc in December 1996. Centrica plc was founded in 1812 and is based in Windsor, the United Kingdom.
Analyst Ratings Changes
CNA has been the topic of several analyst reports. Citigroup reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a GBX 97 ($1.17) target price on shares of Centrica in a research report on Wednesday, August 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and set a GBX 120 ($1.45) target price on shares of Centrica in a research report on Friday, August 5th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on Centrica from GBX 90 ($1.09) to GBX 125 ($1.51) and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, May 16th. Barclays cut their price objective on Centrica from GBX 123 ($1.49) to GBX 121 ($1.46) and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, May 27th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reissued an "overweight" rating on shares of Centrica in a research report on Wednesday, May 11th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of GBX 101.33 ($1.22).
Centrica Stock Performance
CNA Stock traded up GBX 1.98 ($0.02) during midday trading on Friday, hitting GBX 79.74 ($0.96). The company's stock had a trading volume of 17,957,811 shares, compared to its average volume of 26,236,002. The stock has a market cap of £4.71 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 797.40. The stock's 50-day moving average price is GBX 83.12 and its 200 day moving average price is GBX 80.09. The company has a quick ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 176.45. Centrica has a 1 year low of GBX 49.37 ($0.60) and a 1 year high of GBX 93.88 ($1.13).
Centrica Cuts Dividend
The company also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, November 17th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 6th will be paid a GBX 1 ($0.01) dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 6th. This represents a dividend yield of 1.1%.
Insider Buying and Selling at Centrica
In other news, insider Amber Rudd bought 2,217 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 25th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 86 ($1.04) per share, for a total transaction of £1,906.62 ($2,303.79). In related news, insider Heidi Mottram bought 10,000 shares of Centrica stock in a transaction on Friday, June 24th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 84 ($1.01) per share, with a total value of £8,400 ($10,149.83). Also, insider Amber Rudd purchased 2,217 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 25th. The shares were bought at an average price of GBX 86 ($1.04) per share, for a total transaction of £1,906.62 ($2,303.79). Insiders have bought a total of 16,961 shares of company stock worth $1,428,356 over the last ninety days.