Diversified Energy (NYSE:DEC) Stock Price Down 4.3% – Time to Sell?

Diversified Energy Company PLC (NYSE:DEC)’s stock price traded down 4.3% during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $13.52 and last traded at $13.5450. 204,288 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 64% from the average session volume of 565,144 shares. The stock had previously closed at $14.15.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

DEC has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Diversified Energy from $16.00 to $17.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of Diversified Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. William Blair initiated coverage on Diversified Energy in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. They issued an “outperform” rating for the company. Johnson Rice upgraded Diversified Energy from an “accumulate” rating to a “buy” rating and upped their target price for the company from $19.00 to $23.00 in a research report on Friday, December 5th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Diversified Energy from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, October 18th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $21.00.

Diversified Energy Stock Down 5.8%

The company has a 50 day moving average price of $14.47 and a 200-day moving average price of $14.50.

Diversified Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be given a $0.29 dividend. This represents a $1.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.7%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. Diversified Energy’s payout ratio is currently 78.91%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Diversified Energy

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. CWM LLC lifted its stake in Diversified Energy by 273.1% in the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,787 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 1,308 shares during the last quarter. Quarry LP increased its holdings in shares of Diversified Energy by 1,595.2% during the third quarter. Quarry LP now owns 2,119 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 1,994 shares in the last quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue bought a new position in shares of Diversified Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at $47,000. Allworth Financial LP boosted its holdings in shares of Diversified Energy by 10,143.9% during the 2nd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 4,200 shares of the company’s stock valued at $62,000 after acquiring an additional 4,159 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Oakworth Capital Inc. bought a new stake in Diversified Energy during the 2nd quarter worth $73,000. 26.51% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Diversified Energy Company Profile

Diversified Energy Company PLC (NYSE: DEC) is an independent oil and natural gas producer focused on the acquisition and optimization of legacy onshore assets in the United States. The company’s portfolio spans thousands of producing wells and extensive leasehold positions across core regions such as Appalachia, the Permian Basin and the Mid-Continent. By targeting mature properties, Diversified Energy seeks to enhance long-term recovery through operational efficiencies and capital discipline.

The company’s business model centers on fee-based infrastructure and midstream services that provide stable and predictable cash flows.