Central Puerto (NYSE:CEPU) Shares Up 7.2% - Should You Buy?

Central Puerto S.A. (NYSE:CEPU - Get Free Report) shares were up 7.2% on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $15.68 and last traded at $15.54. Approximately 488,008 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 49% from the average daily volume of 328,624 shares. The stock had previously closed at $14.49.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Bank of America raised their price objective on Central Puerto from $11.00 to $12.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, September 11th.

Central Puerto Stock Up 8.2 %

The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $13.46 and a 200 day simple moving average of $10.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a quick ratio of 1.97 and a current ratio of 2.13. The company has a market cap of $2.37 billion, a PE ratio of 6.15 and a beta of 1.23.

Central Puerto (NYSE:CEPU - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, November 11th. The company reported $0.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.39 by ($0.19). Central Puerto had a return on equity of 22.76% and a net margin of 56.44%. The company had revenue of $185.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $200.26 million. Equities research analysts predict that Central Puerto S.A. will post 0.69 EPS for the current year.

Central Puerto Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a -- dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 29th were paid a dividend of $0.3954 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 29th. This is a positive change from Central Puerto's previous -- dividend of $0.07. This represents a yield of 1.4%. Central Puerto's dividend payout ratio is currently 14.51%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Central Puerto

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new stake in Central Puerto during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $34,000. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in shares of Central Puerto by 62.4% in the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 3,694 shares of the company's stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 1,420 shares in the last quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Central Puerto in the 3rd quarter valued at $121,000. Quadrature Capital Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Central Puerto in the 3rd quarter valued at $122,000. Finally, Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Central Puerto during the 3rd quarter valued at $157,000. 2.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Central Puerto

Central Puerto SA engages in the electric power generation in Argentina. It operates through three segments: Electric Power Generation from Conventional Sources, Electric Power Generation from Renewable Sources, and Natural Gas Transport and Distribution. The company generates energy through thermal, hydroelectric, and wind farms.