UGI (NYSE:UGI) Stock Rating Upgraded by Zacks Research

UGI (NYSE:UGI) was upgraded by research analysts at Zacks Research from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report released on Monday, Zacks reports.

Other research analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of UGI from a “buy (b)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 11th. Jefferies Financial Group raised UGI from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their price target for the company from $40.00 to $43.00 in a report on Wednesday, September 9th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on UGI from $45.00 to $42.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, August 7th. Wall Street Zen upgraded UGI from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Sunday, October 18th. Finally, Scotiabank began coverage on UGI in a research note on Tuesday, September 29th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $46.00 price objective for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, UGI has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $45.80.

UGI Stock Up 0.4%

Shares of NYSE:UGI opened at $39.28 on Monday. UGI has a 1-year low of $31.65 and a 1-year high of $41.34. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $37.72 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $36.69.

UGI (NYSE:UGI) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 6th. The utilities provider reported ($0.20) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.08) by ($0.12). The firm had revenue of $1.33 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.50 billion. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that UGI will post 2.81 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of UGI

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of UGI. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company purchased a new stake in UGI in the 2nd quarter worth $73,069,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of UGI by 75.7% during the 2nd quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 1,335,508 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $46,130,000 after purchasing an additional 575,239 shares during the last quarter. Energy Income Partners LLC grew its position in shares of UGI by 1.5% during the second quarter. Energy Income Partners LLC now owns 1,302,403 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $44,985,000 after purchasing an additional 18,808 shares in the last quarter. Private Management Group Inc. grew its position in shares of UGI by 10.8% during the second quarter. Private Management Group Inc. now owns 1,057,888 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $36,539,000 after purchasing an additional 103,470 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH increased its holdings in shares of UGI by 11.6% in the second quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 662,274 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $22,875,000 after purchasing an additional 69,054 shares during the last quarter. 82.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About UGI

UGI Corporation is a diversified energy company headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1882 as the United Gas Improvement Company, it has developed into an operator and distributor of energy businesses serving residential, commercial, industrial and institutional customers.

Through UGI Utilities, the company distributes natural gas and provides electric utility service in parts of Pennsylvania. Its other operations include natural gas marketing, midstream services and energy-related activities in the United States, along with propane distribution through AmeriGas and liquefied petroleum gas distribution in Europe through UGI International.

UGI’s businesses serve customers across the United States and selected European markets.