Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE) Short Interest Down 26.7% in January

Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE) was the target of a large decline in short interest in January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 8,681,923 shares, a decline of 26.7% from the January 15th total of 11,846,916 shares. Currently, 1.3% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 5,931,514 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.5 days. Based on an average trading volume of 5,931,514 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.5 days. Currently, 1.3% of the company’s stock are short sold.

Sempra Energy Stock Up 2.2%

SRE stock opened at $94.79 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $61.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.08, a P/E/G ratio of 2.48 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a current ratio of 1.59. The business’s 50-day moving average is $88.50 and its two-hundred day moving average is $87.88. Sempra Energy has a fifty-two week low of $61.90 and a fifty-two week high of $95.74.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have commented on the company. Jefferies Financial Group set a $89.00 target price on Sempra Energy and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Citigroup reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $99.00 price objective (up from $80.00) on shares of Sempra Energy in a research report on Monday, November 24th. UBS Group reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $100.00 price objective on shares of Sempra Energy in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Wall Street Zen raised Sempra Energy from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. Finally, BTIG Research raised shares of Sempra Energy to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Sempra Energy has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $95.83.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Sempra Energy news, CAO Dyan Z. Wold sold 1,510 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $91.38, for a total transaction of $137,983.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 3,481 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $318,093.78. This trade represents a 30.25% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CFO Karen L. Sedgwick sold 7,564 shares of Sempra Energy stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.29, for a total transaction of $698,081.56. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 41,280 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,809,731.20. The trade was a 15.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 15,074 shares of company stock worth $1,385,605. Company insiders own 0.27% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sempra Energy

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Meeder Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Sempra Energy in the third quarter valued at $25,000. Ares Financial Consulting LLC purchased a new position in shares of Sempra Energy in the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Westside Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Sempra Energy by 51.2% in the 2nd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 375 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 127 shares during the last quarter. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd raised its position in shares of Sempra Energy by 57.7% during the 4th quarter. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd now owns 347 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 127 shares in the last quarter. Finally, NewSquare Capital LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Sempra Energy by 245.1% in the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 421 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 299 shares during the last quarter. 89.65% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Sempra Energy Company Profile

Sempra Energy is a San Diego–based energy infrastructure company that develops, owns and operates businesses delivering electricity and natural gas. Its operations include regulated utility services that provide electric and gas distribution to residential, commercial and industrial customers, as well as non‑regulated infrastructure businesses that develop and manage large-scale energy assets.

The company’s product and service portfolio spans electricity and natural gas delivery, transmission and storage, liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, power generation and electric transmission projects.