EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ:SATS) Receives Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts

Shares of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ:SATS) have earned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the seven analysts that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1 year target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $133.8333.

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the company. UBS Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of EchoStar in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Williams Trading set a $158.00 target price on EchoStar in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of EchoStar in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Zacks Research raised shares of EchoStar from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, February 9th. Finally, TD Cowen restated a “buy” rating on shares of EchoStar in a report on Wednesday, January 7th.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Hamid Akhavan sold 285,832 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.33, for a total value of $30,106,684.56. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 376,805 shares in the company, valued at $39,688,870.65. This represents a 43.14% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 55.70% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. DLD Asset Management LP bought a new position in shares of EchoStar during the 3rd quarter valued at about $2,481,700,000. Sachem Head Capital Management LP bought a new stake in EchoStar during the 4th quarter worth approximately $568,218,000. Icahn Carl C acquired a new stake in EchoStar during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $332,513,000. Norges Bank bought a new position in EchoStar in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $182,111,000. Finally, Contrarius Group Holdings Ltd acquired a new position in shares of EchoStar in the third quarter valued at approximately $98,819,000. 33.62% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

EchoStar Price Performance

SATS opened at $107.42 on Tuesday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $114.38 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $84.48. The firm has a market capitalization of $30.92 billion, a PE ratio of -2.39 and a beta of 1.01. EchoStar has a 52 week low of $14.90 and a 52 week high of $132.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.11, a quick ratio of 0.56 and a current ratio of 0.61.

About EchoStar

EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) is a global provider of satellite communication solutions, offering a suite of broadband and video delivery services to consumer, enterprise and government customers. The company operates two principal business segments: Broadband and Video. Through its Broadband segment, EchoStar delivers high-speed satellite internet access, managed network services and ground infrastructure for residential, commercial and rural markets. Its Video segment provides satellite fleet operations, teleport facilities and capacity-leasing services to video distributors and content providers.

In the Broadband segment, EchoStar’s Hughes Network Systems division designs and manufactures satellite broadband equipment, including user terminals and gateways, and develops advanced network management technologies.