Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE) Reaches New 1-Year High – Here’s Why

Shares of Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $95.74 and last traded at $95.1260, with a volume of 1533924 shares. The stock had previously closed at $92.79.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on SRE shares. Barclays set a $95.00 target price on Sempra Energy and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Sempra Energy in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on shares of Sempra Energy from $95.00 to $99.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company restated an “overweight” rating and set a $112.00 price target (down previously from $115.00) on shares of Sempra Energy in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Finally, UBS Group reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $100.00 price target on shares of Sempra Energy in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $95.83.

Sempra Energy Price Performance

The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $88.50 and its 200-day moving average price is $87.93. The firm has a market cap of $61.86 billion, a PE ratio of 29.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 1.59 and a quick ratio of 1.56.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Sempra Energy news, CFO Karen L. Sedgwick sold 7,564 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, November 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.29, for a total value of $698,081.56. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 41,280 shares in the company, valued at $3,809,731.20. This represents a 15.49% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Caroline Ann Winn sold 5,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $91.58, for a total transaction of $503,690.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 34,164 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,128,739.12. The trade was a 13.87% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 15,074 shares of company stock worth $1,385,605. 0.27% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sempra Energy

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of SRE. Meeder Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Sempra Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Ares Financial Consulting LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Sempra Energy during the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Westside Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Sempra Energy by 51.2% in the 2nd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 375 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 127 shares during the period. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of Sempra Energy by 57.7% in the 4th quarter. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd now owns 347 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 127 shares during the last quarter. Finally, NewSquare Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of Sempra Energy by 245.1% during the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 421 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 299 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.65% of the company’s stock.

Sempra Energy Company Profile

Sempra Energy is a San Diego–based energy infrastructure company that develops, owns and operates businesses delivering electricity and natural gas. Its operations include regulated utility services that provide electric and gas distribution to residential, commercial and industrial customers, as well as non‑regulated infrastructure businesses that develop and manage large-scale energy assets.

The company’s product and service portfolio spans electricity and natural gas delivery, transmission and storage, liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, power generation and electric transmission projects.