Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU) Stock Price Down 3.7% - Here's Why

Shares of Centrus Energy Corp. (NYSE:LEU - Get Free Report) were down 3.7% during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $62.33 and last traded at $62.51. Approximately 498,925 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 22% from the average daily volume of 642,320 shares. The stock had previously closed at $64.91.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Craig Hallum started coverage on shares of Centrus Energy in a research note on Tuesday, April 1st. They set a "buy" rating and a $129.00 price objective for the company. HC Wainwright assumed coverage on Centrus Energy in a report on Tuesday, February 25th. They set a "buy" rating and a $300.00 target price for the company. StockNews.com raised shares of Centrus Energy to a "sell" rating in a research report on Monday, February 10th. Finally, Citigroup began coverage on shares of Centrus Energy in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $104.00 price objective on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $143.40.

Centrus Energy Price Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $981.76 million, a PE ratio of 13.28 and a beta of 1.26. 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 stock has a 50-day moving average price of $84.53 and a 200 day moving average price of $78.74.

Insider Buying and Selling at Centrus Energy

In other news, SVP Larry B. Cutlip sold 4,000 shares of Centrus Energy stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $120.31, for a total value of $481,240.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 9,402 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,131,154.62. The trade was a 29.85 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Insiders own 1.00% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Centrus Energy

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its stake in Centrus Energy by 3.0% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 6,288 shares of the company's stock worth $345,000 after purchasing an additional 186 shares in the last quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Centrus Energy by 0.6% in the fourth quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC now owns 29,226 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,947,000 after purchasing an additional 188 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its position in Centrus Energy by 77.4% during the fourth quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 440 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 192 shares in the last quarter. Old West Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in Centrus Energy by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. Old West Investment Management LLC now owns 10,147 shares of the company's stock valued at $676,000 after buying an additional 192 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Summit Investment Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Centrus Energy by 16.2% during the 4th quarter. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 1,399 shares of the company's stock valued at $93,000 after acquiring an additional 195 shares during the last quarter. 49.96% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.