Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU) Trading 3% Higher – Still a Buy?

Centrus Energy Corp. (NYSE:LEU) shares rose 3% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $152.72 and last traded at $147.44. Approximately 434,351 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 44% from the average daily volume of 781,370 shares. The stock had previously closed at $143.11.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have weighed in on LEU. HC Wainwright started coverage on Centrus Energy in a report on Tuesday, February 25th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $300.00 price objective on the stock. Evercore ISI assumed coverage on Centrus Energy in a report on Wednesday, May 14th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $145.00 price target on the stock. Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of Centrus Energy in a report on Wednesday, June 4th. They set a “buy” rating and a $160.00 price target for the company. Citigroup began coverage on Centrus Energy in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $104.00 target price on the stock. Finally, William Blair assumed coverage on shares of Centrus Energy in a research note on Wednesday, May 28th. They set an “outperform” rating on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Centrus Energy currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $146.00.

Centrus Energy Trading Up 2.9%

The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $85.56 and a 200 day simple moving average of $82.75. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.47 billion, a PE ratio of 33.37 and a beta of 1.37. The company has a current ratio of 2.93, a quick ratio of 2.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.09.

Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 7th. The company reported $1.60 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.08) by $1.68. Centrus Energy had a return on equity of 84.09% and a net margin of 16.56%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 67.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted ($0.38) earnings per share. Analysts predict that Centrus Energy Corp. will post 2.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Centrus Energy

In other news, CFO Kevin J. Harrill sold 1,728 shares of Centrus Energy stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $126.00, for a total transaction of $217,728.00. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, SVP John M. A. Donelson sold 3,732 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $96.31, for a total transaction of $359,428.92. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.00% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Centrus Energy

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Cape Investment Advisory Inc. acquired a new position in Centrus Energy in the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Stone House Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Centrus Energy during the first quarter worth about $28,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its position in Centrus Energy by 77.4% in the fourth quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 440 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 192 shares during the period. State of Wyoming bought a new stake in shares of Centrus Energy in the 4th quarter worth $33,000. Finally, Comerica Bank grew its holdings in Centrus Energy by 589.5% during the first quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 655 shares of the company’s stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 560 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 49.96% of the company’s stock.

About Centrus Energy

Centrus Energy Corp. supplies nuclear fuel components and services for the nuclear power industry in the United States, Belgium, Japan, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) and Technical Solutions. The LEU segment sells separative work units (SWU) components of LEU; natural uranium hexafluoride, uranium concentrates, and uranium conversion; and enriched uranium products to utilities that operate nuclear power plants.