United Utilities Group (LON:UU) Share Price Passes Above 200-Day Moving Average of $1,037.47

United Utilities Group PLC (LON:UU)’s stock price passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 1,037.47 ($13.29) and traded as high as GBX 1,123 ($14.38). United Utilities Group shares last traded at GBX 1,094 ($14.01), with a volume of 2,864,476 shares traded.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts recently commented on UU shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated an “overweight” rating on shares of United Utilities Group in a report on Friday, July 5th. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a GBX 1,230 ($15.76) target price on shares of United Utilities Group in a research report on Tuesday, May 21st. Finally, Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “overweight” rating on shares of United Utilities Group in a research report on Tuesday, May 14th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of GBX 1,260 ($16.14).

United Utilities Group Trading Down 3.4 %

The firm has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 1,033.97 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 1,037.47. The company has a market cap of £7.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5,757.89, a PEG ratio of 138.87 and a beta of 0.39. The company has a quick ratio of 1.13, a current ratio of 1.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 420.76.

United Utilities Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 1st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 20th will be issued a dividend of GBX 33.19 ($0.43) per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 20th. This is a boost from United Utilities Group’s previous dividend of $16.59. This represents a yield of 2.98%. United Utilities Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 26,315.79%.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Utilities Group

In other news, insider Louise Beardmore sold 4,197 shares of United Utilities Group stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 1,017 ($13.03), for a total value of £42,683.49 ($54,673.36). In other United Utilities Group news, insider Clare Hayward bought 3,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 28th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 980 ($12.55) per share, for a total transaction of £29,400 ($37,658.51). Also, insider Louise Beardmore sold 4,197 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 1,017 ($13.03), for a total value of £42,683.49 ($54,673.36). Insiders have acquired a total of 3,035 shares of company stock valued at $2,976,757 over the last ninety days. 0.04% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

About United Utilities Group

United Utilities Group PLC provides water and wastewater services in the United Kingdom. It is involved in the renewable energy generation, corporate trustee, financing, and property management activities; and provision of consulting, and project management services. The company operates 43,000 kilometers of water pipes; and 79,000 kilometers of wastewater pipes.