Peabody Energy (NYSE:BTU) Shares Gap Up on Earnings Beat

Peabody Energy Co. (NYSE:BTU)’s share price gapped up prior to trading on Thursday following a better than expected earnings announcement. The stock had previously closed at $24.69, but opened at $26.25. Peabody Energy shares last traded at $26.06, with a volume of 276,796 shares changing hands.

The coal producer reported $0.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.58 by $0.16. The business had revenue of $1.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.07 billion. Peabody Energy had a net margin of 12.69% and a return on equity of 15.35%. Peabody Energy’s revenue for the quarter was up .8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.80 EPS.

Peabody Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 14th will be paid a $0.075 dividend. This represents a $0.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.14%. Peabody Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 8.36%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have weighed in on BTU shares. B. Riley boosted their price target on Peabody Energy from $32.00 to $34.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 17th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on Peabody Energy from $25.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Thursday, October 10th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Blue Trust Inc. grew its position in Peabody Energy by 11,390.0% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,149 shares of the coal producer’s stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 1,139 shares during the period. Financial Management Professionals Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Peabody Energy in the third quarter worth about $36,000. Natixis grew its holdings in Peabody Energy by 8,355.0% during the first quarter. Natixis now owns 1,691 shares of the coal producer’s stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 1,671 shares during the period. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Peabody Energy during the third quarter valued at approximately $43,000. Finally, Altshuler Shaham Ltd purchased a new position in Peabody Energy during the second quarter valued at approximately $44,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.44% of the company’s stock.

Peabody Energy Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a current ratio of 2.49 and a quick ratio of 1.92. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $24.19 and a 200-day simple moving average of $23.31. The company has a market capitalization of $3.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.32 and a beta of 0.96.

Peabody Energy Company Profile

Peabody Energy Corporation engages in coal mining business in the United States, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, India, Brazil, Belgium, Chile, France, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, South Korea, Germany, and internationally. The company operates through Seaborne Thermal, Seaborne Metallurgical, Powder River Basin, Other U.S.