Entergy Co. (NYSE:ETR) Short Interest Update

Entergy Co. (NYSE:ETR) saw a significant increase in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 2,390,000 shares, an increase of 8.1% from the March 15th total of 2,210,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,370,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.7 days.

Entergy Price Performance

Shares of Entergy stock traded up $2.08 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $102.69. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 826,124 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,350,118. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $102.23 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $99.96. The company has a current ratio of 0.57, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.57. Entergy has a one year low of $87.10 and a one year high of $109.85. The stock has a market capitalization of $21.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 0.71.

Entergy (NYSE:ETR) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 22nd. The utilities provider reported $0.52 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.52. The firm had revenue of $2.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.27 billion. Entergy had a return on equity of 10.54% and a net margin of 19.41%. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.51 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Entergy will post 7.22 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Entergy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 3rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 2nd will be issued a dividend of $1.13 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, May 1st. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.40%. Entergy’s dividend payout ratio is currently 40.76%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Entergy news, EVP Kimberly Cook-Nelson sold 2,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $100.35, for a total value of $200,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 16,037 shares in the company, valued at $1,609,312.95. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In related news, insider Deanna D. Rodriguez sold 1,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $101.23, for a total transaction of $151,845.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 3,442 shares in the company, valued at $348,433.66. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Kimberly Cook-Nelson sold 2,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $100.35, for a total transaction of $200,700.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 16,037 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,609,312.95. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 12,000 shares of company stock worth $1,226,685 over the last ninety days. 0.54% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Entergy

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Entergy by 157.1% during the 3rd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 270 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 165 shares during the last quarter. Tidemark LLC acquired a new stake in Entergy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new stake in Entergy during the 1st quarter worth approximately $29,000. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Entergy during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Finally, Fortis Group Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Entergy during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $32,000. 88.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on shares of Entergy from $110.00 to $113.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, February 26th. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Entergy from $108.00 to $107.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $117.00 price target on shares of Entergy in a research note on Monday, February 26th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $109.78.

About Entergy

Entergy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and retail distribution of electricity in the United States. It generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power in portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, including the City of New Orleans; and distributes natural gas.