Serica Energy (LON:SQZ) Stock Price Down 8.4%

Serica Energy plc (LON:SQZ)’s share price was down 8.4% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as GBX 138.40 ($1.76) and last traded at GBX 139.36 ($1.77). Approximately 1,139,697 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 30% from the average daily volume of 1,617,271 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 152.10 ($1.93).

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a GBX 225 ($2.85) price objective on shares of Serica Energy in a research report on Tuesday, May 21st.

Serica Energy Stock Performance

The company has a market capitalization of £533.39 million, a PE ratio of 563.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 0.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 32.79, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a current ratio of 2.19. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is GBX 175.03 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 190.96.

Serica Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 24th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 27th will be paid a GBX 14 ($0.18) dividend. This is a boost from Serica Energy’s previous dividend of $9.00. This represents a yield of 7.22%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 27th. Serica Energy’s payout ratio is presently 8,518.52%.

Insider Transactions at Serica Energy

In other Serica Energy news, insider Martin Copeland bought 19,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 14th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of GBX 185 ($2.35) per share, for a total transaction of £35,150 ($44,589.62). Insiders own 41.76% of the company’s stock.

Serica Energy Company Profile

Serica Energy plc, an upstream oil and gas company, identifies, acquires, explores, exploits, and produces oil and gas reserves in the United Kingdom. The company holds 100% interest in the Keith oil field; 98% interest in the Bruce field; and 50% interest in the Rhum gas field located in the Northern North Sea, as well as 18% non-operating interest in the Erskine field located in Central North Sea.