Inceptionr LLC Makes New Investment in Spire Inc. (NYSE:SR)

Inceptionr LLC purchased a new position in shares of Spire Inc. (NYSE:SR) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 7,435 shares of the utilities provider’s stock, valued at approximately $504,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in SR. Meeder Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Spire during the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Spire during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in shares of Spire by 87.2% during the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 438 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 204 shares during the last quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC increased its stake in shares of Spire by 1,318.4% during the 3rd quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 539 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 501 shares during the last quarter. Finally, R Squared Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Spire during the 4th quarter worth about $37,000. 87.36% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Treasurer Adam W. Woodard sold 1,150 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.47, for a total transaction of $77,590.50. Following the completion of the sale, the treasurer now owns 2,587 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $174,544.89. This represents a 30.77 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 2.33% of the company’s stock.

Spire Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:SR opened at $76.39 on Friday. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $71.54 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $68.44. Spire Inc. has a 12-month low of $57.27 and a 12-month high of $78.80. The firm has a market cap of $4.46 billion, a PE ratio of 18.50, a PEG ratio of 2.82 and a beta of 0.53. The company has a quick ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 0.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21.

Spire (NYSE:SR) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The utilities provider reported $1.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.42 by ($0.08). Spire had a return on equity of 7.88% and a net margin of 9.70%. Equities research analysts predict that Spire Inc. will post 4.5 earnings per share for the current year.

Spire Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 2nd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 11th will be given a dividend of $0.785 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 11th. This represents a $3.14 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.11%. Spire’s payout ratio is presently 76.03%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on SR shares. StockNews.com lowered shares of Spire from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Friday, February 14th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of Spire from $77.00 to $75.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 22nd. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded shares of Spire from a “sell” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $83.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 26th. Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of Spire in a research note on Friday, December 13th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $70.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on shares of Spire from $70.00 to $69.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Spire has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $74.00.

Spire Company 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.