82,013 Shares in Chesapeake Energy Co. (NASDAQ:CHK) Acquired by Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC

Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC bought a new stake in shares of Chesapeake Energy Co. (NASDAQ:CHK) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 82,013 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $7,285,000. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC owned 0.06% of Chesapeake Energy as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of CHK. Principal Securities Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Chesapeake Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Lindbrook Capital LLC increased its stake in Chesapeake Energy by 90.8% in the 1st quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 374 shares of the company’s stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 178 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC purchased a new stake in Chesapeake Energy in the 1st quarter worth approximately $37,000. GAMMA Investing LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Chesapeake Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $40,000. Finally, Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Chesapeake Energy by 1,207.7% during the 4th quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 680 shares of the company’s stock valued at $52,000 after acquiring an additional 628 shares in the last quarter. 97.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently issued reports on CHK. KeyCorp assumed coverage on Chesapeake Energy in a report on Thursday, June 27th. They set a “sector weight” rating for the company. Barclays started coverage on Chesapeake Energy in a research note on Wednesday, April 10th. They issued an “equal weight” rating and a $102.00 price target for the company. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of Chesapeake Energy from $92.00 to $94.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 10th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price on shares of Chesapeake Energy from $118.00 to $115.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 10th. Finally, Stephens raised their price target on shares of Chesapeake Energy from $116.00 to $117.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 1st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $106.67.

Chesapeake Energy Stock Performance

CHK remained flat at $83.48 during midday trading on Friday. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 1,575,673 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,506,805. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $86.83 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $84.13. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.94 billion, a PE ratio of 11.25 and a beta of 0.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a quick ratio of 2.33 and a current ratio of 2.33. Chesapeake Energy Co. has a 12-month low of $72.84 and a 12-month high of $93.58.

Chesapeake Energy (NASDAQ:CHK) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 30th. The company reported $0.56 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.64 by ($0.08). The firm had revenue of $1.08 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $674.99 million. Chesapeake Energy had a net margin of 16.42% and a return on equity of 4.87%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.87 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that Chesapeake Energy Co. will post 1 earnings per share for the current year.

Chesapeake Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 5th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 16th were issued a $0.715 dividend. This represents a $2.86 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.43%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 15th. This is a positive change from Chesapeake Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.58. Chesapeake Energy’s payout ratio is 31.00%.

Chesapeake Energy Profile

Chesapeake Energy Corporation operates as an independent exploration and production company in the United States. It engages in acquisition, exploration, and development of properties to produce oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids from underground reservoirs. The company holds interests in natural gas resource plays in the Marcellus Shale in the northern Appalachian Basin in Pennsylvania and the Haynesville/Bossier Shales in northwestern Louisiana.