Serica Energy (LON:SQZ) Trading Up 14.6% – Should You Buy?

Serica Energy plc (LON:SQZ) shares rose 14.6% on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as GBX 198.80 ($2.67) and last traded at GBX 197.40 ($2.65). Approximately 5,177,625 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 154% from the average daily volume of 2,035,568 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 172.20 ($2.32).

Analyst Ratings Changes

SQZ has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a GBX 215 target price on shares of Serica Energy in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. Canaccord Genuity Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a GBX 215 price objective on shares of Serica Energy in a research note on Tuesday, September 16th. Peel Hunt reiterated a “buy” rating and set a GBX 207 target price on shares of Serica Energy in a report on Tuesday. Shore Capital reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Serica Energy in a research report on Wednesday, September 10th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a GBX 190 price target on shares of Serica Energy in a research report on Tuesday, August 5th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, Serica Energy currently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of GBX 207.83.

Serica Energy Trading Up 3.1%

The firm has a market capitalization of £794.72 million, a PE ratio of -2,543.75, a P/E/G ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 0.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 26.31, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a current ratio of 1.69. The firm has a fifty day moving average of GBX 169.78 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 153.62.

Insider Transactions at Serica Energy

In other news, insider Martin Copeland acquired 45,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 3rd. The shares were bought at an average price of GBX 161 per share, for a total transaction of £72,450. 63.80% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About Serica Energy

Serica Energy plc, an upstream oil and gas company, identifies, acquires, explores, exploits, and produces oil and gas reserves in the United Kingdom. The company holds 100% interest in the Keith oil field; 98% interest in the Bruce field; and 50% interest in the Rhum gas field located in the Northern North Sea, as well as 18% non-operating interest in the Erskine field located in Central North Sea.