Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU) Reaches New 12-Month High on Earnings Beat

Centrus Energy Corp. (NYSE:LEU)’s stock price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday after the company announced better than expected quarterly earnings. The stock traded as high as $264.01 and last traded at $257.62, with a volume of 898363 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $213.80.

The company reported $1.59 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.58 by $1.01. Centrus Energy had a net margin of 16.56% and a return on equity of 84.09%. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.89 EPS. The business’s revenue was down 18.3% compared to the same quarter last year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus assumed coverage on shares of Centrus Energy in a report on Friday, July 11th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $220.00 price objective for the company. UBS Group raised shares of Centrus Energy to a “hold” rating and set a $215.00 price objective for the company in a report on Monday, July 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on shares of Centrus Energy in a report on Thursday, June 26th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $148.00 price target for the company. Northland Securities started coverage on shares of Centrus Energy in a report on Monday, July 7th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $205.00 price target for the company. Finally, William Blair reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of Centrus Energy in a report on Wednesday, July 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $178.64.

Insider Transactions at Centrus Energy

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

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Centrus Energy

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of LEU. Anatole Investment Management Ltd bought a new position in shares of Centrus Energy in the fourth quarter worth approximately $27,880,000. Soros Fund Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Centrus Energy in the fourth quarter worth approximately $14,821,000. Voloridge Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Centrus Energy by 1,300.5% in the fourth quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC now owns 235,155 shares of the company’s stock worth $15,664,000 after buying an additional 218,364 shares in the last quarter. Granahan Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Centrus Energy in the first quarter worth approximately $13,440,000. Finally, Driehaus Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Centrus Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $10,367,000. Institutional investors own 49.96% of the company’s stock.

Centrus Energy Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 2.46, a current ratio of 2.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.09. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $187.75 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $118.85. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.96 billion, a PE ratio of 52.70 and a beta of 1.35.

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.