Peabody Energy (NYSE:BTU) Reaches New 52-Week High - Should You Buy?

Peabody Energy Co. (NYSE:BTU - Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $27.38 and last traded at $26.99, with a volume of 413814 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $26.33.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. B. Riley upped their price target on shares of Peabody Energy from $32.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, September 17th. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on shares of Peabody Energy from $25.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 10th. Finally, Benchmark increased their price objective on Peabody Energy from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday.

Peabody Energy Stock Up 3.3 %

The business has a 50 day moving average of $24.40 and a two-hundred day moving average of $23.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a quick ratio of 1.75 and a current ratio of 2.32. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.42 billion, a PE ratio of 7.20 and a beta of 0.98.

Peabody Energy (NYSE:BTU - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 31st. The coal producer reported $0.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.58 by $0.16. The firm had revenue of $1.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.07 billion. Peabody Energy had a net margin of 12.24% and a return on equity of 14.74%. The firm's revenue was up .8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.80 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Peabody Energy Co. will post 2.98 EPS for the current year.

Peabody Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 4th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 14th will be issued a $0.075 dividend. This represents a $0.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.10%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 14th. Peabody Energy's payout ratio is presently 7.94%.

Institutional Trading of Peabody Energy

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Blue Trust Inc. grew its holdings in Peabody Energy by 11,390.0% in the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,149 shares of the coal producer's stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 1,139 shares during the period. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new stake in Peabody Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at $36,000. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in Peabody Energy in the 3rd quarter worth $43,000. Natixis lifted its holdings in Peabody Energy by 8,355.0% during the first quarter. Natixis now owns 1,691 shares of the coal producer's stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 1,671 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Altshuler Shaham Ltd purchased a new position in Peabody Energy during the second quarter valued at $44,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.44% of the company's stock.

About Peabody Energy

Peabody Energy Corporation engages in coal mining business in the United States, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, India, Brazil, Belgium, Chile, France, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, South Korea, Germany, and internationally. The company operates through Seaborne Thermal, Seaborne Metallurgical, Powder River Basin, Other U.S.