Centuri Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CTRI) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

Centuri Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CTRI) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 3,210,000 shares, a growth of 10.7% from the December 15th total of 2,900,000 shares. Approximately 24.5% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 400,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 8.0 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on CTRI shares. Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on Centuri from $19.00 to $21.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Centuri from $16.00 to $17.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Centuri currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $18.40.

Centuri Price Performance

Shares of CTRI stock traded up $0.18 on Monday, reaching $21.95. 302,652 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 218,324. Centuri has a 52 week low of $14.47 and a 52 week high of $28.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.70, a current ratio of 1.64 and a quick ratio of 1.64. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $20.48 and its 200 day simple moving average is $18.56.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its stake in Centuri by 39.3% in the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 6,827 shares of the company’s stock worth $110,000 after acquiring an additional 1,927 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Centuri by 3.6% in the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 111,364 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,799,000 after acquiring an additional 3,818 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in Centuri by 129.1% in the third quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 8,243 shares of the company’s stock worth $133,000 after acquiring an additional 4,645 shares during the period. Centiva Capital LP bought a new position in Centuri during the 3rd quarter worth about $162,000. Finally, UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC purchased a new position in Centuri during the 3rd quarter valued at about $211,000.

About Centuri

Centuri Holdings, Inc operates as a utility infrastructure services company in North America. It offers gas utility services, including maintenance, repair, installation, and replacement services for natural gas local distribution utility companies with focus on the modernization of infrastructure. The company also provides electric utility services comprising design, maintenance and repair, upgrade, and expansion services for transmission and distribution infrastructure.