Ameren Co. (NYSE:AEE) Short Interest Update

() experienced a significant decline in short interest during the month of March. On April 30, there were 4,090,000 short shares, which is a drop of 15.1% compared to the total of 4,820,000 on April 15th. The days-to-cover is currently 3.3 days based on an average trading volume 1,240,000 shares.

Insiders Bet on the Future

In a transaction that took place on Thursday, 9th March, Ameren sold 3,660 stock shares. The stock was purchased at an average of $83.40 for a total of $305,244.00. The executive vice president owns 36.692 shares, worth approximately $3.060.1112.80, after the sale. In a transaction that took place on Thursday, 23rd February, 1,900 Ameren shares were sold. The stock was purchased at an average of $86.15, resulting in a transaction total of $163.685.00. After the completion of this transaction, the director owns 14,172 company shares, worth approximately $1,220.917.80. Chonda J. Nwamu, EVP, sold 3,660 Ameren shares in a deal dated March 9th. The shares were sold for an average price $83.40 and a total of $305,244.00. After the completion of this transaction, the executive Vice President now owns 36.692 shares in the company, valued at around $3,060.1112.80. Insiders have sold 63 509 shares worth $5 221,792 in the past 90 days. Recent changes in institutional investors' and hedge fund's stakes have been made by the company. Colony Group LLC increased their position in Ameren shares by 3.7% during first quarter. Colony Group LLC owns 3,405 of the utilities provider’s stock, worth $294,000. This is after purchasing 120 additional shares. Jane Street Group LLC has increased its holdings in Ameren shares by 1.8% over the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC owns now 14,428 of the utilities provider stock, worth $1.246,000. This is after adding 251 additional shares. Sherbrooke Park Advisers LLC acquired a new share of Ameren in the first quarter valued at $1,322,000. Squarepoint Ops LLC grew its stake in Ameren shares by 128.4% over the first quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC owns now 257,419 of the utilities provider stock, worth $22,238,000, after purchasing an additional 144 709 shares during the period. Steward Partners Investments Advisory LLC also increased its holdings in Ameren shares by 5.5% over the first quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC owns 6,728 of the utilities provider stock, worth $581,000. This is after acquiring 353 additional shares. 78.42% is owned by hedge funds and institutional investors.

Ameren Trading down 1.8 %

Tuesday's trading saw a $1.54 decline, bringing the price to $83.52. Stock of the company traded 1,718,527 versus its average of 1,365.197 shares. Ameren's 52-week low is $73.28, and its 52-week high is $97.53. The stock's market cap is $21.93 billion. It has a PE of 20.03 and a P/E/G of 2.94. The company's 50-day and 200-day moving averges are $87.24 & $86.74. The debt-to equity ratio for the company is 1.32. Its current ratio is 0.75, and its quick ratio is 0.52.

The last time ) announced its results was on Friday, 5th May. The utilities provider announced $1.00 in earnings per share for the third quarter, exceeding analysts' estimates of $0.94. Revenue for the quarter was $2.06 billion, which is higher than analyst expectations of $1.95. Ameren's return on equity was 10.41%, and its net margin was 13.34%. Revenues for the firm increased 9.7% from the same quarter in last year. In the same quarter of the previous year the company had $0.97 in earnings per share. Analysts at equities firms predict that Ameren's earnings per share will be 4.35 for the current fiscal period.

Ameren Announces Dividend

Recently, the company announced that it would be paying a quarterly dividend on Friday 30th June. Dividends will be paid to shareholders who were in the record books on June 14th. On an annualized base, this is a dividend of $2.52 and a 3.02% yield. This dividend will be ex-dividend on Tuesday, June 13th. Ameren has a payout ratio of 60.43%.

Analysts set new price targets

Recently, several equities analysts weighed in about the company. Ameren was covered in a report published on Thursday 16th March. The stock was given a rating of 'hold'. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Ameren to $101.00 in a report released on Monday, 10th April. They also gave the stock a 'overweight rating'. Mizuho reduced their price target on Ameren in a Tuesday report from $91.00 down to $87.00. Guggenheim lowered Ameren's rating from 'buy' to a "neutral" rating in a Monday, 23rd report. They also raised their price target for the stock, from $85.00 to $89.00. Six analysts have given the stock a hold recommendation and five others have given the company a buy recommendation. According to MarketBeat data, the company has a current consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $95.00.

Ameren

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Ameren Corp., a holding company for public utilities, provides electric and gas services. Ameren Corp. operates in four segments: Ameren Missouri (electric distribution), Ameren Illinois Natural Gas (natural gas), Ameren Transmission and Other. Ameren Transmission is the combined electric transmission business of Ameren Illinois, Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois(ATXI), and Ameren Transmission Company of Missouri (AMMO).

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