Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU) Shares Down 7.6% – Here’s Why

Centrus Energy Corp. (NYSE:LEU) shares were down 7.6% during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $182.45 and last traded at $183.92. Approximately 199,983 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 80% from the average daily volume of 1,008,187 shares. The stock had previously closed at $199.13.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have commented on LEU shares. Northland Securities set a $285.00 target price on Centrus Energy in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. Stifel Nicolaus set a $246.00 target price on Centrus Energy in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. Citigroup cut their target price on Centrus Energy from $224.00 to $218.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 8th. Roth Mkm restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $137.00 price target on shares of Centrus Energy in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. Finally, B. Riley Financial dropped their price target on Centrus Energy from $315.00 to $295.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $268.18.

Centrus Energy Trading Up 2.7%

The stock has a market capitalization of $3.67 billion, a PE ratio of 61.79, a P/E/G ratio of 22.95 and a beta of 1.34. The company has a current ratio of 5.72, a quick ratio of 4.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.52. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $191.99 and a 200-day moving average price of $229.16.

Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 5th. The company reported $1.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.33 by $0.72. The firm had revenue of $76.70 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $76.13 million. Centrus Energy had a return on equity of 13.10% and a net margin of 13.40%.The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.60 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Centrus Energy Corp. will post 2.65 earnings per share for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CFO Todd M. Tinelli sold 306 shares of Centrus Energy stock in a transaction on Monday, May 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $203.55, for a total transaction of $62,286.30. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.72% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Centrus Energy

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of LEU. Vermillion Wealth Management Inc. lifted its position in Centrus Energy by 5,000.0% during the fourth quarter. Vermillion Wealth Management Inc. now owns 102 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Aventura Private Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Centrus Energy during the fourth quarter valued at $30,000. Western Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Centrus Energy during the first quarter valued at about $31,000. RiverPark Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Centrus Energy during the third quarter valued at about $33,000. Finally, Fulcrum Asset Management LLP bought a new stake in Centrus Energy during the third quarter valued at about $34,000. 49.96% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Centrus Energy Company Profile

Centrus Energy Corp is a U.S.-based supplier of nuclear fuel and enrichment services, specializing in the production of low-enriched uranium (LEU) for commercial power reactors and highly enriched uranium for naval propulsion. Through its Centrus Global subsidiary, the company provides technical support, fuel fabrication services and recycled uranium products to utilities operating light-water reactors. Centrus also develops advanced centrifuge technologies aimed at improving enrichment efficiency and reducing the cost of nuclear fuel.

Originally founded as the United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC) in 1998 following a spin-out from the U.S.