UGI (NYSE:UGI) Reaches New 12-Month High After Better-Than-Expected Earnings

UGI Co. (NYSE:UGI) shares hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday after the company announced better than expected quarterly earnings. The company traded as high as $35.41 and last traded at $35.21, with a volume of 902380 shares. The stock had previously closed at $33.57.

The utilities provider reported $2.21 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.80 by $0.41. UGI had a return on equity of 15.19% and a net margin of 7.73%. The business had revenue of $2.67 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.26 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.97 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 8.1% compared to the same quarter last year.

UGI Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 16th will be issued a dividend of $0.375 per share. This represents a $1.50 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.30%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 16th. UGI’s payout ratio is presently 59.06%.

Insider Transactions at UGI

In related news, insider Michael Sharp purchased 4,806 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 27th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $33.30 per share, with a total value of $160,039.80. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider now directly owns 4,806 shares in the company, valued at approximately $160,039.80. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.73% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On UGI

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Blueshift Asset Management LLC bought a new position in UGI in the first quarter valued at approximately $263,000. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in UGI during the 1st quarter worth about $378,000. Foster & Motley Inc. raised its stake in shares of UGI by 6.7% in the 1st quarter. Foster & Motley Inc. now owns 116,138 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $3,841,000 after purchasing an additional 7,302 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of UGI by 22.5% in the first quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 61,024 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $2,018,000 after purchasing an additional 11,194 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bayforest Capital Ltd acquired a new position in shares of UGI during the first quarter worth about $571,000. Institutional investors own 82.34% of the company’s stock.

UGI Stock Performance

The stock has a fifty day moving average of $32.62 and a 200-day moving average of $29.97. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.73, a P/E/G ratio of 2.26 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44.

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.