Franklin Resources Inc. Has $15.61 Million Stock Holdings in UGI Co. (NYSE:UGI)

Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its position in shares of UGI Co. (NYSE:UGI - Free Report) by 10.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 630,604 shares of the utilities provider's stock after acquiring an additional 61,265 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. owned 0.29% of UGI worth $15,614,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Easterly Investment Partners LLC grew its position in UGI by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. Easterly Investment Partners LLC now owns 59,238 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $1,482,000 after buying an additional 450 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC increased its stake in shares of UGI by 0.4% during the third quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 110,875 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $2,774,000 after acquiring an additional 489 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC raised its holdings in UGI by 7.2% during the third quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 7,885 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $197,000 after purchasing an additional 531 shares in the last quarter. Glenmede Trust Co. NA boosted its stake in UGI by 2.5% during the 3rd quarter. Glenmede Trust Co. NA now owns 22,034 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $551,000 after purchasing an additional 541 shares in the last quarter. Finally, V2 Financial group LLC increased its position in shares of UGI by 4.2% during the 3rd quarter. V2 Financial group LLC now owns 13,966 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $349,000 after purchasing an additional 567 shares during the period. 82.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

UGI Trading Up 0.6 %

Shares of NYSE:UGI traded up $0.16 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $27.27. The company had a trading volume of 5,316,914 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,246,770. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $26.12 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $24.64. The firm has a market cap of $5.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.99 and a beta of 1.21. UGI Co. has a 1-year low of $21.67 and a 1-year high of $30.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a current ratio of 0.80.

UGI Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 16th will be given a $0.375 dividend. This represents a $1.50 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.50%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 16th. UGI's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 120.97%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Mizuho raised UGI from a "neutral" rating to an "outperform" rating and raised their target price for the company from $27.00 to $30.00 in a research note on Friday, November 15th. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on shares of UGI in a report on Friday, November 22nd. They issued a "buy" rating and a $28.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of UGI from $26.00 to $27.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 16th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, UGI currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $28.33.

UGI Company Profile

UGI Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, distributes, stores, transports, and markets energy products and related services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: AmeriGas Propane, UGI International, Midstream & Marketing, and UGI Utilities. It distributes propane to approximately 1.3 million residential, commercial/industrial, motor fuel, agricultural, and wholesale customers through 1,400 propane distribution locations.