Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU) Trading Up 4.6% - Should You Buy?

Centrus Energy Corp. (NYSE:LEU - Get Free Report) rose 4.6% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $65.24 and last traded at $66.61. Approximately 38,834 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 95% from the average daily volume of 785,658 shares. The stock had previously closed at $63.66.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on LEU. Craig Hallum initiated coverage on shares of Centrus Energy in a research report on Tuesday, April 1st. They issued a "buy" rating and a $129.00 price target for the company. Citigroup initiated coverage on Centrus Energy in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $104.00 price target on the stock. HC Wainwright began coverage on shares of Centrus Energy in a research report on Tuesday, February 25th. They set a "buy" rating and a $300.00 target price on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Centrus Energy to a "sell" rating in a research report on Monday, February 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $143.40.

Centrus Energy Price Performance

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 company has a market capitalization of $1.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.20 and a beta of 1.26. The company's fifty day moving average price is $78.11 and its 200 day moving average price is $79.24.

Insiders Place Their Bets

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

Institutional Trading of Centrus Energy

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Anatole Investment Management Ltd bought a new position in Centrus Energy during the fourth quarter valued at $27,880,000. Reaves W H & Co. Inc. purchased a new position in Centrus Energy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $15,215,000. Soros Fund Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Centrus Energy during the 4th quarter valued at about $14,821,000. Voloridge Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Centrus Energy by 1,300.5% in the 4th quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC now owns 235,155 shares of the company's stock worth $15,664,000 after acquiring an additional 218,364 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Driehaus Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Centrus Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $10,367,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 49.96% of the company's stock.

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.