UGI (NYSE:UGI) Hits New 52-Week High - Should You Buy?

UGI Co. (NYSE:UGI - Get Free Report)'s share price reached a new 52-week high on Friday . The stock traded as high as $32.65 and last traded at $32.59, with a volume of 105805 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $32.35.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have commented on the company. Mizuho upgraded UGI from a "neutral" rating to an "outperform" rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $27.00 to $30.00 in a report on Friday, November 15th. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on shares of UGI in a research note on Friday, November 22nd. They issued a "buy" rating and a $28.00 price objective for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, UGI has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $28.33.

UGI Price Performance

The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $29.53 and a 200-day simple moving average of $26.54. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48. The firm has a market cap of $7.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.00, a PEG ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 1.21.

UGI (NYSE:UGI - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The utilities provider reported $1.37 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.21 by $0.16. UGI had a return on equity of 15.21% and a net margin of 7.73%. As a group, analysts forecast that UGI Co. will post 3 EPS for the current year.

UGI Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 17th will be given a dividend of $0.375 per share. This represents a $1.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.54%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 17th. UGI's dividend payout ratio is presently 59.06%.

Institutional Trading of UGI

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in UGI. Altshuler Shaham Ltd acquired a new position in UGI during the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of UGI by 216.7% in the 4th quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 893 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 611 shares during the period. S.A. Mason LLC purchased a new stake in shares of UGI in the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. GeoWealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in UGI during the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Flagship Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in UGI during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $30,000. 82.34% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

UGI Company Profile

UGI Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, distributes, stores, transports, and markets energy products and related services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: AmeriGas Propane, UGI International, Midstream & Marketing, and UGI Utilities. It distributes propane to approximately 1.3 million residential, commercial/industrial, motor fuel, agricultural, and wholesale customers through 1,400 propane distribution locations.