BP p.l.c. (LON:BP) Given Average Rating of "Hold" by Brokerages

Shares of BP p.l.c. (LON:BP - Get Free Report) have been assigned an average recommendation of "Hold" from the seven brokerages that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is GBX 632 ($8.21).

BP has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated an "underweight" rating on shares of BP in a report on Tuesday, September 24th. Berenberg Bank reiterated a "hold" rating and issued a GBX 510 ($6.62) price target on shares of BP in a research report on Monday, August 5th. Finally, Bank of America restated a "buy" rating and set a GBX 500 ($6.49) price objective on shares of BP in a report on Wednesday, September 4th.

Insider Activity at BP

In related news, insider Murray Auchincloss sold 454,841 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 459 ($5.96), for a total value of £2,087,720.19 ($2,710,620.86). In other news, insider Hina Nagarajan purchased 5,000 shares of BP stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 6th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of GBX 407 ($5.28) per share, for a total transaction of £20,350 ($26,421.71). Also, insider Murray Auchincloss sold 454,841 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 459 ($5.96), for a total value of £2,087,720.19 ($2,710,620.86). Over the last three months, insiders bought 10,100 shares of company stock valued at $4,223,044. 0.26% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

BP Trading Down 0.2 %

BP stock traded down GBX 0.90 ($0.01) during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting GBX 401.80 ($5.22). The stock had a trading volume of 26,614,112 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,560,774. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 412.51 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 456.51. The company has a current ratio of 1.24, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 79.91. The stock has a market capitalization of £63.69 billion, a PE ratio of 1,217.58, a P/E/G ratio of 0.35 and a beta of 0.49. BP has a 12 month low of GBX 379.70 ($4.93) and a 12 month high of GBX 562.30 ($7.30).

BP Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 20th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 8th were issued a $0.08 dividend. This is a boost from BP's previous dividend of $0.07. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 8th. This represents a dividend yield of 1.37%. BP's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 6,969.70%.

About BP

BP p.l.c. provides carbon products and services. The company operates through Gas & Low Carbon Energy, Oil Production & Operations, and Customers & Products segments. It engages in the production of natural gas, and integrated gas and power; trading of gas; operation of onshore and offshore wind power, as well as hydrogen and carbon capture and storage facilities; trading and marketing of renewable and non-renewable power; and production of crude oil.