James C. Yardley Buys 5,019 Shares of Sempra (NYSE:SRE) Stock

Sempra (NYSE:SRE - Get Free Report) Director James C. Yardley acquired 5,019 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 12th. The stock was bought at an average price of $69.74 per share, with a total value of $350,025.06. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 5,019 shares in the company, valued at approximately $350,025.06. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website.

Sempra Price Performance

SRE stock traded up $0.82 on Monday, reaching $71.03. 4,754,976 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,309,727. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $79.57 and a 200-day moving average of $84.00. The firm has a market cap of $46.27 billion, a PE ratio of 15.65, a P/E/G ratio of 2.19 and a beta of 0.76. The company has a quick ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89. Sempra has a twelve month low of $64.89 and a twelve month high of $95.77.

Sempra (NYSE:SRE - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 25th. The utilities provider reported $1.50 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.47 by $0.03. Sempra had a net margin of 22.63% and a return on equity of 8.06%. The firm had revenue of $3.76 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.73 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.13 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 7.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts predict that Sempra will post 4.76 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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Sempra Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 20th will be paid a $0.645 dividend. This is an increase from Sempra's previous quarterly dividend of $0.62. This represents a $2.58 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.63%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 20th. Sempra's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 58.37%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a "hold" rating and set a $77.00 price objective (down previously from $96.00) on shares of Sempra in a report on Monday, March 3rd. Barclays downgraded Sempra from an "overweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating and dropped their price target for the stock from $95.00 to $72.00 in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. Guggenheim reduced their price objective on Sempra from $95.00 to $87.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 26th. BMO Capital Markets lowered their target price on shares of Sempra from $92.00 to $78.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. Finally, Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of Sempra from $100.00 to $85.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 26th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $81.50.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sempra

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Crews Bank & Trust acquired a new position in shares of Sempra during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Prudent Man Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in Sempra in the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Synergy Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Sempra during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. TCTC Holdings LLC lifted its position in shares of Sempra by 265.2% during the fourth quarter. TCTC Holdings LLC now owns 336 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 244 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Meeder Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Sempra in the fourth quarter valued at $29,000. 89.65% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Sempra

Sempra operates as an energy infrastructure company in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Sempra California, Sempra Texas Utilities, and Sempra Infrastructure. The Sempra California segment provides electric services; and natural gas services to San Diego County.