Peabody Energy (NYSE:BTU) Shares Down 4.4%

Shares of Peabody Energy Co. (NYSE:BTU) traded down 4.4% on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $21.73 and last traded at $21.76. 1,387,839 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 55% from the average session volume of 3,063,337 shares. The stock had previously closed at $22.77.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price on Peabody Energy from $25.00 to $24.00 and set a “market perform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, May 3rd. B. Riley lifted their target price on shares of Peabody Energy from $31.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Finally, Benchmark restated a “buy” rating and set a $28.00 price target on shares of Peabody Energy in a report on Friday, May 3rd.

Peabody Energy Trading Up 2.0 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a quick ratio of 1.86 and a current ratio of 2.49. The company’s 50 day moving average is $22.56 and its 200 day moving average is $23.59. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.25 and a beta of 0.97.

Peabody Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 4th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 15th will be given a $0.075 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 15th. This represents a $0.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.34%. Peabody Energy’s dividend payout ratio is currently 8.36%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Peabody Energy

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its stake in Peabody Energy by 11,390.0% in the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,149 shares of the coal producer’s stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 1,139 shares in the last quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. acquired a new position in Peabody Energy during the 4th quarter worth about $36,000. Natixis grew its holdings in Peabody Energy by 8,355.0% during the 1st quarter. Natixis now owns 1,691 shares of the coal producer’s stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 1,671 shares during the last quarter. Altshuler Shaham Ltd acquired a new stake in Peabody Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at about $44,000. Finally, TFO Wealth Partners LLC raised its position in shares of Peabody Energy by 48,475.0% during the fourth quarter. TFO Wealth Partners LLC now owns 1,943 shares of the coal producer’s stock worth $47,000 after acquiring an additional 1,939 shares during the last quarter. 87.44% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Peabody Energy

Peabody Energy Corporation engages in coal mining business in the United States, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, India, Brazil, Belgium, Chile, France, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, South Korea, Germany, and internationally. The company operates through Seaborne Thermal, Seaborne Metallurgical, Powder River Basin, Other U.S.