Ameren (NYSE:AEE) Sets New 52-Week High – Still a Buy?

Ameren Co. (NYSE:AEE)’s stock price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $95.00 and last traded at $94.63, with a volume of 28952 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $94.27.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on shares of Ameren in a report on Thursday, September 19th. They set a “buy” rating and a $97.00 price target for the company. Barclays boosted their price target on Ameren from $77.00 to $88.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 15th. Bank of America raised their price objective on Ameren from $86.00 to $87.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, August 29th. BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on Ameren from $84.00 to $87.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 6th. Finally, Mizuho raised Ameren from a “neutral” rating to an “outperform” rating and raised their price target for the stock from $82.00 to $89.00 in a research note on Monday, September 16th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Ameren presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $87.90.

Ameren Stock Performance

The stock’s 50-day moving average is $88.81 and its 200-day moving average is $80.81. The company has a current ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 0.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.37. The stock has a market cap of $25.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.35, a P/E/G ratio of 3.08 and a beta of 0.45.

Ameren Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 11th will be paid a $0.67 dividend. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.82%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 11th. Ameren’s dividend payout ratio is presently 63.06%.

Insider Activity at Ameren

In other news, CFO Michael L. Moehn sold 6,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.15, for a total value of $598,975.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 205,171 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,906,507.65. This trade represents a 3.07 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 0.42% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ameren

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its position in shares of Ameren by 115.3% during the second quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 366 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 196 shares in the last quarter. First Command Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new position in Ameren in the 2nd quarter worth $26,000. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC purchased a new position in Ameren in the 1st quarter valued at about $31,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Ameren by 227.3% during the first quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 455 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 316 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Ameren during the third quarter worth about $44,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.09% of the company’s stock.

About Ameren

Ameren Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a public utility holding company in the United States. The company operates through four segments: Ameren Missouri, Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution, Ameren Illinois Natural Gas, and Ameren Transmission. It engages in the rate-regulated electric generation, transmission, and distribution activities; and rate-regulated natural gas distribution business.