Brokerages Set Exelon Co. (NASDAQ:EXC) Price Target at $44.63

Exelon Co. (NASDAQ:EXC) has been given an average rating of “Moderate Buy” by the nine brokerages that are covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $45.13.

Several analysts have issued reports on the company. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Exelon in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. Barclays increased their target price on Exelon from $42.00 to $48.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 25th. Guggenheim raised Exelon from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. Evercore ISI upgraded Exelon from an “in-line” rating to an “outperform” rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $43.00 to $44.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. Finally, UBS Group increased their price target on Exelon from $45.00 to $47.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday.

Exelon Stock Down 1.8 %

Shares of NASDAQ:EXC opened at $43.80 on Friday. Exelon has a 52-week low of $34.01 and a 52-week high of $45.20. The stock has a market cap of $44.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.86 and a beta of 0.51. The business’s 50 day moving average is $41.97 and its 200 day moving average is $39.97. The company has a quick ratio of 0.78, a current ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.61.

Exelon (NASDAQ:EXC) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 12th. The company reported $0.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.59 by $0.05. Exelon had a return on equity of 9.52% and a net margin of 10.68%. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.60 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Exelon will post 2.64 EPS for the current year.

Exelon Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 14th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 24th were issued a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 24th. This is a positive change from Exelon’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.38. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.65%. Exelon’s dividend payout ratio is currently 65.31%.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Colette D. Honorable sold 1,463 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.57, for a total value of $59,353.91. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 2,271 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $92,134.47. This represents a 39.18 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Exelon during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Millstone Evans Group LLC acquired a new stake in Exelon during the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Stephens Consulting LLC grew its holdings in Exelon by 78.1% during the fourth quarter. Stephens Consulting LLC now owns 782 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 343 shares during the period. Brown Lisle Cummings Inc. acquired a new stake in Exelon during the fourth quarter worth about $30,000. Finally, Crews Bank & Trust acquired a new stake in Exelon during the fourth quarter worth about $34,000. 80.92% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Exelon Company Profile

Exelon Corporation, a utility services holding company, engages in the energy distribution and transmission businesses in the United States and Canada. The company is involved in the purchase and regulated retail sale of electricity and natural gas, transmission and distribution of electricity, and distribution of natural gas to retail customers.