Serica Energy (LON:SQZ) Trading 9.8% Higher - Still a Buy?

Serica Energy plc (LON:SQZ - Get Free Report)'s stock price rose 9.8% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as GBX 143.90 ($1.87) and last traded at GBX 141.20 ($1.83). Approximately 5,814,601 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 233% from the average daily volume of 1,745,544 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 128.60 ($1.67).

Serica Energy Stock Performance

The company has a market capitalization of £561.83 million, a P/E ratio of 751.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 0.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 26.31, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a current ratio of 1.69. The business has a 50 day moving average of GBX 134.07 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 150.86.

Serica Energy Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, November 21st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 24th will be paid a GBX 9 ($0.12) dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 24th. This represents a yield of 7.69%. Serica Energy's dividend payout ratio is currently 12,105.26%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Serica Energy news, insider Martin Copeland bought 13,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 10th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of GBX 112 ($1.45) per share, for a total transaction of £15,120 ($19,608.35). Corporate insiders own 37.70% of the company's stock.

Serica Energy Company Profile

Serica Energy plc, an upstream oil and gas company, identifies, acquires, explores, exploits, and produces oil and gas reserves in the United Kingdom. The company holds 100% interest in the Keith oil field; 98% interest in the Bruce field; and 50% interest in the Rhum gas field located in the Northern North Sea, as well as 18% non-operating interest in the Erskine field located in Central North Sea.