Algert Global LLC Takes Position in Spire Inc. (NYSE:SR)

Algert Global LLC bought a new stake in shares of Spire Inc. (NYSE:SR) during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm bought 5,541 shares of the utilities provider’s stock, valued at approximately $337,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of SR. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Spire in the second quarter valued at approximately $31,000. LRI Investments LLC purchased a new position in shares of Spire in the first quarter valued at $35,000. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Spire during the 1st quarter valued at $37,000. EntryPoint Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Spire during the 1st quarter worth $47,000. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. lifted its holdings in Spire by 26.8% in the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 761 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $47,000 after buying an additional 161 shares in the last quarter. 87.36% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Spire Stock Performance

Shares of SR stock opened at $64.49 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.29, a PEG ratio of 3.17 and a beta of 0.52. Spire Inc. has a one year low of $54.15 and a one year high of $68.02. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $65.55 and its 200-day simple moving average is $62.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.35 and a current ratio of 0.48.

Spire (NYSE:SR) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The utilities provider reported ($0.14) EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.18) by $0.04. The company had revenue of $414.10 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $313.86 million. Spire had a return on equity of 8.10% and a net margin of 9.40%. Spire’s quarterly revenue was down 1.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted ($0.42) EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Spire Inc. will post 4.23 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Spire Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 2nd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, September 11th were issued a $0.755 dividend. This represents a $3.02 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.68%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, September 11th. Spire’s dividend payout ratio is presently 76.26%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Spire from $70.00 to $76.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 25th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on Spire from $64.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Spire has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $63.83.

Insider Buying and Selling at Spire

In other news, VP Gerard J. Gorla sold 500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.82, for a total value of $32,410.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 7,311 shares in the company, valued at approximately $473,899.02. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, VP Gerard J. Gorla sold 500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $64.82, for a total transaction of $32,410.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 7,311 shares in the company, valued at approximately $473,899.02. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Maria V. Fogarty sold 6,590 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $65.15, for a total value of $429,338.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 9,800 shares in the company, valued at approximately $638,470. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 2.86% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Spire Profile

Spire Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the purchase, retail distribution, and sale of natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and other end-users of natural gas in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Gas Utility, Gas Marketing, and Midstream. It is also involved in the marketing of natural gas and related services; and transportation and storage of natural gas.