TransAlta Co. (TSE:TA) Given Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of TransAlta Co. (TSE:TA) (NYSE:TAC) have been given a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the eight ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and seven have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is C$24.44.

A number of brokerages have commented on TA. Desjardins decreased their target price on TransAlta from C$19.00 to C$18.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 10th. National Bank Financial raised TransAlta from a “hold” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a C$22.00 price target on the stock in a report on Tuesday, March 24th. ATB Cormark Capital Markets lifted their price target on TransAlta from C$27.00 to C$28.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 24th. Finally, TD cut their price target on TransAlta from C$27.00 to C$26.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, May 7th.

Insider Activity

In other TransAlta news, insider Michael Politeski purchased 10,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 13th. The shares were bought at an average price of C$17.24 per share, with a total value of C$172,400.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider owned 55,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately C$948,200. This represents a 22.22% increase in their position. Also, insider Christopher Douglas Fralick sold 36,453 shares of TransAlta stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$17.90, for a total value of C$652,508.70. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 46,939 shares in the company, valued at approximately C$840,208.10. This trade represents a 43.71% decrease in their position. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 95,953 shares of company stock valued at $1,707,409. Insiders own 0.21% of the company’s stock.

TransAlta Stock Performance

Shares of TA stock opened at C$19.36 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 317.20. The business has a 50 day moving average of C$17.89 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$18.19. TransAlta has a 52 week low of C$13.16 and a 52 week high of C$25.03. The company has a market cap of C$5.77 billion, a P/E ratio of -25.81, a PEG ratio of -0.07 and a beta of 0.54.

TransAlta (TSE:TA) (NYSE:TAC) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, May 6th. The company reported C$0.06 EPS for the quarter. TransAlta had a negative return on equity of 11.56% and a negative net margin of 7.73%.The company had revenue of C$560.00 million during the quarter.

About TransAlta

TransAlta owns, operates and develops a diverse fleet of electrical power generation assets in Canada, the United States and Australia with a focus on long-term shareholder value. TransAlta provides municipalities, medium and large industries, businesses and utility customers with affordable, energy efficient and reliable power. Today, TransAlta is one of Canada’s largest producers of wind power and Alberta’s largest producer of thermal generation and hydro-electric power. For over 114 years, TransAlta has been a responsible operator and a proud member of the communities where we operate and where our employees work and live.