The GEO Group (NYSE:GEO) Trading 4.5% Higher – Should You Buy?

The GEO Group, Inc. (NYSE:GEO) shares shot up 4.5% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $27.57 and last traded at $27.56. 1,367,665 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 49% from the average session volume of 2,705,003 shares. The stock had previously closed at $26.37.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Northland Securities increased their price objective on shares of The GEO Group from $16.00 to $37.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, November 8th. Noble Financial downgraded The GEO Group from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a research report on Monday, November 11th. Finally, Wedbush reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of The GEO Group in a report on Tuesday.

The GEO Group Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $3.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 96.73, a PEG ratio of 3.32 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $22.63 and a 200-day simple moving average of $16.89.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of GEO. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of The GEO Group during the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. Sound Income Strategies LLC boosted its position in The GEO Group by 472.1% during the 3rd quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 3,181 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 2,625 shares during the period. Morse Asset Management Inc bought a new position in shares of The GEO Group in the third quarter worth $67,000. Quarry LP acquired a new position in shares of The GEO Group during the third quarter valued at $77,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake in shares of The GEO Group by 38.5% during the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 6,874 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $88,000 after purchasing an additional 1,910 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 76.10% of the company’s stock.

The GEO Group Company Profile

The GEO Group, Inc (NYSE: GEO) engages in ownership, leasing, and management of secure facilities, processing centers, and community-based reentry facilities in the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and South Africa. The company also provides secure facility management services, including the provision of security, administrative, rehabilitation, education, and food services; reentry services, such as temporary housing, programming, employment assistance, and other services; electronic monitoring and supervision services; and transportation services; as well as designs, constructs, and finances new facilities through projects.