Peabody Energy (NYSE:BTU) Hits New 52-Week Low - Here's Why

Shares of Peabody Energy Co. (NYSE:BTU - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week low during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $15.72 and last traded at $15.68, with a volume of 1925227 shares. The stock had previously closed at $16.21.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

BTU has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price target on shares of Peabody Energy from $30.00 to $26.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 6th. BMO Capital Markets upgraded shares of Peabody Energy from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $26.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Monday, December 16th. Finally, Benchmark decreased their target price on shares of Peabody Energy from $30.00 to $26.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 7th.

Peabody Energy Price Performance

The firm's 50-day moving average price is $18.84 and its 200-day moving average price is $22.44. The company has a current ratio of 2.15, a quick ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.78 billion, a PE ratio of 5.41 and a beta of 0.95.

Peabody Energy (NYSE:BTU - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The coal producer reported $0.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.53 by ($0.25). Peabody Energy had a net margin of 8.75% and a return on equity of 10.33%. On average, equities analysts forecast that Peabody Energy Co. will post 2.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Peabody Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 11th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 19th will be given a $0.075 dividend. This represents a $0.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.05%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 19th. Peabody Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 11.11%.

Institutional Trading of Peabody Energy

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its position in Peabody Energy by 167.2% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,189 shares of the coal producer's stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 744 shares during the period. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in Peabody Energy in the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Financial Management Professionals Inc. bought a new position in Peabody Energy in the 3rd quarter worth about $36,000. Byrne Asset Management LLC grew its stake in Peabody Energy by 63.3% in the 4th quarter. Byrne Asset Management LLC now owns 1,755 shares of the coal producer's stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 680 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new position in Peabody Energy in the 3rd quarter worth about $43,000. 87.44% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.