Diversified Energy (NYSE:DEC) Trading Down 4.5% – Time to Sell?

Shares of Diversified Energy Company PLC (NYSE:DEC) were down 4.5% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $13.79 and last traded at $13.7010. Approximately 425,511 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 53% from the average daily volume of 902,548 shares. The stock had previously closed at $14.34.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently commented on DEC shares. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Diversified Energy from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, February 14th. Truist Financial dropped their price target on shares of Diversified Energy from $22.00 to $20.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 9th. KeyCorp raised their price target on shares of Diversified Energy from $18.00 to $20.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, April 2nd. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of Diversified Energy from a “hold (c)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 7th. Finally, Stephens started coverage on shares of Diversified Energy in a research report on Wednesday, April 15th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $24.00 price target on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Diversified Energy currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $21.83.

Diversified Energy Trading Up 0.8%

The company’s 50 day moving average price is $15.53 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $14.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.57, a current ratio of 0.47 and a quick ratio of 0.47. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.00 billion, a PE ratio of 3.93 and a beta of -0.46.

Diversified Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 28th will be paid a $0.29 dividend. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 28th. Diversified Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 32.95%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Diversified Energy

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Quarry LP increased its position in Diversified Energy by 1,595.2% during the third quarter. Quarry LP now owns 2,119 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 1,994 shares during the last quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new stake in Diversified Energy during the fourth quarter worth about $32,000. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc acquired a new stake in Diversified Energy during the fourth quarter worth about $35,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its position in Diversified Energy by 261.3% during the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 5,069 shares of the company’s stock worth $74,000 after purchasing an additional 3,666 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in Diversified Energy during the fourth quarter worth about $111,000. 26.51% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Diversified Energy

Diversified Energy Company PLC (NYSE: DEC) is an independent oil and natural gas producer focused on the acquisition and optimization of legacy onshore assets in the United States. The company’s portfolio spans thousands of producing wells and extensive leasehold positions across core regions such as Appalachia, the Permian Basin and the Mid-Continent. By targeting mature properties, Diversified Energy seeks to enhance long-term recovery through operational efficiencies and capital discipline.

The company’s business model centers on fee-based infrastructure and midstream services that provide stable and predictable cash flows.