Holistic Financial Partners Makes New Investment in Sempra (NYSE:SRE)

Holistic Financial Partners bought a new position in shares of Sempra (NYSE:SRE) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 2,521 shares of the utilities provider’s stock, valued at approximately $211,000.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in SRE. Quest Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Sempra during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $81,000. AMG National Trust Bank increased its stake in Sempra by 7.8% during the third quarter. AMG National Trust Bank now owns 5,208 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $436,000 after acquiring an additional 375 shares during the last quarter. Phillips Financial Management LLC purchased a new stake in Sempra in the third quarter valued at $200,000. Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors LP grew its holdings in shares of Sempra by 34.9% during the 3rd quarter. Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors LP now owns 1,020,769 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $85,367,000 after purchasing an additional 264,064 shares during the period. Finally, Prudent Man Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Sempra by 19.9% during the 3rd quarter. Prudent Man Advisors LLC now owns 10,675 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $893,000 after purchasing an additional 1,773 shares during the last quarter. 89.65% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Sempra Stock Performance

Shares of Sempra stock opened at $92.19 on Monday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $84.52 and a 200-day simple moving average of $80.02. The company has a market cap of $58.39 billion, a PE ratio of 20.31, a P/E/G ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 0.75. Sempra has a one year low of $66.40 and a one year high of $93.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 0.47 and a current ratio of 0.52.

Sempra (NYSE:SRE) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 6th. The utilities provider reported $0.89 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.05 by ($0.16). The firm had revenue of $2.78 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.54 billion. Sempra had a return on equity of 8.06% and a net margin of 22.63%. The company’s revenue was down 16.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.08 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Sempra will post 4.77 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Sempra Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 5th will be given a dividend of $0.62 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 5th. This represents a $2.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.69%. Sempra’s dividend payout ratio is currently 54.63%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of Sempra from $87.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. Evercore ISI lifted their target price on shares of Sempra from $84.00 to $88.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, November 7th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on Sempra from $93.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, October 21st. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on Sempra in a research note on Thursday, October 24th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $98.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Bank of America initiated coverage on Sempra in a research note on Thursday, September 12th. They set a “buy” rating and a $94.00 target price on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $89.00.

About Sempra

Sempra operates as an energy infrastructure company in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Sempra California, Sempra Texas Utilities, and Sempra Infrastructure. The Sempra California segment provides electric services; and natural gas services to San Diego County.