Mizuho Issues Pessimistic Forecast for Sempra (NYSE:SRE) Stock Price

Sempra (NYSE:SRE) had its price objective lowered by investment analysts at Mizuho from $92.00 to $76.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an “outperform” rating on the utilities provider’s stock. Mizuho’s target price would suggest a potential upside of 5.42% from the stock’s previous close.

Several other research firms have also issued reports on SRE. Evercore ISI raised their price objective on Sempra from $84.00 to $88.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on Sempra from $100.00 to $85.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Sempra from $99.00 to $95.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 27th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Sempra from $96.00 to $88.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded Sempra from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $99.00 to $76.00 in a report on Wednesday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $86.31.

Sempra Price Performance

Shares of NYSE SRE traded up $1.45 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $72.09. 6,882,954 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,010,266. The company’s 50 day moving average is $83.96 and its 200 day moving average is $84.93. Sempra has a one year low of $64.89 and a one year high of $95.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 0.52 and a quick ratio of 0.47. The stock has a market capitalization of $45.66 billion, a PE ratio of 15.96, a P/E/G ratio of 2.19 and a beta of 0.78.

Sempra (NYSE:SRE) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 25th. The utilities provider reported $1.50 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.47 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $3.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.73 billion. Sempra had a net margin of 22.63% and a return on equity of 8.06%. The business’s revenue was up 7.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.13 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Sempra will post 4.76 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Sempra

In related news, SVP Alexander Lisa Larroque sold 2,755 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $81.93, for a total value of $225,717.15. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 13,905 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,139,236.65. This represents a 16.54 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Jeffrey W. Martin sold 49,737 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $82.94, for a total value of $4,125,186.78. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 2 shares in the company, valued at $165.88. The trade was a 100.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.24% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Sempra

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Crews Bank & Trust acquired a new position in shares of Sempra in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Prudent Man Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Sempra in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Synergy Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Sempra in the fourth quarter worth $29,000. TCTC Holdings LLC increased its position in shares of Sempra by 265.2% during the fourth quarter. TCTC Holdings LLC now owns 336 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 244 shares during the period. Finally, Meeder Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in Sempra in the fourth quarter valued at $29,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.65% of the company’s stock.

Sempra Company Profile

Sempra operates as an energy infrastructure company in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Sempra California, Sempra Texas Utilities, and Sempra Infrastructure. The Sempra California segment provides electric services; and natural gas services to San Diego County.