Short Interest in UGI Co. (NYSE:UGI) Declines By 27.2%

UGI Co. (NYSE:UGI) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 9,410,000 shares, a decline of 27.2% from the December 15th total of 12,920,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,320,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.1 days.

Institutional Trading of UGI

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Easterly Investment Partners LLC raised its stake in UGI by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter. Easterly Investment Partners LLC now owns 59,238 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $1,482,000 after acquiring an additional 450 shares in the last quarter. Wright Investors Service Inc. grew its holdings in shares of UGI by 1.3% during the fourth quarter. Wright Investors Service Inc. now owns 37,206 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $1,050,000 after purchasing an additional 484 shares during the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC increased its position in shares of UGI by 0.4% during the third quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 110,875 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $2,774,000 after purchasing an additional 489 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC lifted its holdings in shares of UGI by 7.2% in the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 7,885 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $197,000 after purchasing an additional 531 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Glenmede Trust Co. NA boosted its position in shares of UGI by 2.5% in the 3rd quarter. Glenmede Trust Co. NA now owns 22,034 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $551,000 after purchasing an additional 541 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.34% of the company’s stock.

UGI Stock Down 0.1 %

Shares of NYSE:UGI traded down $0.04 on Wednesday, hitting $29.35. 2,053,153 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,820,706. UGI has a 1-year low of $21.67 and a 1-year high of $30.48. The company has a market capitalization of $6.30 billion, a PE ratio of 23.67 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a current ratio of 0.80. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $27.50 and its 200 day moving average is $25.33.

UGI Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 16th were paid a $0.375 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 16th. This represents a $1.50 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.11%. UGI’s dividend payout ratio is currently 120.97%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Mizuho raised UGI from a “neutral” rating to an “outperform” rating and lifted their target price for the company from $27.00 to $30.00 in a research report on Friday, November 15th. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on shares of UGI in a report on Friday, November 22nd. They issued a “buy” rating and a $28.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of UGI from $26.00 to $27.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $28.33.

About UGI

UGI Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, distributes, stores, transports, and markets energy products and related services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: AmeriGas Propane, UGI International, Midstream & Marketing, and UGI Utilities. It distributes propane to approximately 1.3 million residential, commercial/industrial, motor fuel, agricultural, and wholesale customers through 1,400 propane distribution locations.