Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:CCOI) Receives Consensus Rating of “Hold” from Analysts

Shares of Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:CCOI) have received an average rating of “Hold” from the eleven ratings firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, six have assigned a hold recommendation and three have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $19.55.

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on CCOI shares. KeyCorp lowered their target price on shares of Cogent Communications from $25.00 to $15.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 7th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on Cogent Communications from $18.00 to $14.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, August 7th. UBS Group set a $9.00 price target on Cogent Communications in a research report on Wednesday, August 19th. TD Cowen decreased their price objective on Cogent Communications from $34.00 to $30.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 7th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price objective on Cogent Communications from $18.00 to $12.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 13th.

Cogent Communications Stock Down 2.3%

CCOI opened at $9.98 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $11.62 and a 200-day moving average price of $16.59. Cogent Communications has a twelve month low of $8.88 and a twelve month high of $45.69. The company has a market capitalization of $511.18 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -10.40 and a beta of 0.77.

Cogent Communications (NASDAQ:CCOI) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 6th. The technology company reported $1.38 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of ($1.00) by $2.38. The company had revenue of $235.56 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $239.55 million. Cogent Communications had a negative net margin of 4.73% and a negative return on equity of 842.48%. Cogent Communications’s revenue was down 4.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted ($1.21) EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Cogent Communications will post -3.01 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Cogent Communications Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 4th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 21st will be given a dividend of $0.02 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 21st. This represents a $0.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.8%. Cogent Communications’s dividend payout ratio is currently -8.33%.

Key Headlines Impacting Cogent Communications

Here are the key news stories impacting Cogent Communications this week:

• Positive Sentiment: A Zacks article included CCOI among five stocks with rising price-to-earnings ratios, offering a limited valuation-related positive. However, this was a screening article rather than a new company-specific development. Bet on 5 Top-Ranked Stocks With Rising P/E
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst commentary covering communication-services companies, including Cogent and Verizon, was reported, but the available information does not identify a material change to CCOI’s rating, earnings outlook, or price target. Analysts Offer Insights on Communication Services Companies
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple law firms announced or promoted a securities class action against Cogent concerning investors who purchased shares from February 29, 2024, through May 1, 2026. The allegations focus on whether Cogent adequately disclosed risks involving optical-wavelength demand, backlog conversion, margin loans, pledged-share foreclosures, and dividend-related risks. Investors have until September 21, 2026 to seek lead-plaintiff status. The allegations have not been proven, but the litigation creates legal costs, potential liability, and ongoing headline pressure. Robbins Geller Announces Cogent Class Action Deadline
• Negative Sentiment: Chief Financial Officer Thaddeus Gerard Weed sold 4,850 CCOI shares for approximately $45,445 at an average price of $9.37, reducing his position by 2.45%. Although the sale is relatively small and does not establish a fundamental change, insider selling can weigh on investor sentiment. SEC Insider Trading Filing

Insider Transactions at Cogent Communications

In other news, CFO Thaddeus Weed sold 4,850 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $9.37, for a total value of $45,444.50. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 193,050 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,808,878.50. This represents a 2.45% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, VP Henry Kilmer sold 2,400 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $17.01, for a total transaction of $40,824.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 38,600 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $656,586. This trade represents a 5.85% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last three months, insiders sold 12,100 shares of company stock worth $167,700. Insiders own 4.20% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in CCOI. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in shares of Cogent Communications in the third quarter worth $27,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new position in Cogent Communications during the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Parallel Advisors LLC grew its position in Cogent Communications by 208.6% during the first quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 1,432 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 968 shares in the last quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. increased its stake in Cogent Communications by 313.9% in the 4th quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 1,486 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 1,127 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Strs Ohio bought a new position in Cogent Communications in the 1st quarter worth about $104,000. 92.45% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Cogent Communications Company Profile

Cogent Communications (NASDAQ:CCOI) is a multinational Internet service provider specializing in high-speed Internet access and data transport services. The company operates one of the largest Tier 1 IP networks in the world, offering wholesale and enterprise customers reliable, low-latency connectivity. Cogent’s core services include dedicated Internet access, Ethernet transport, wavelength services, and MPLS-based IP Virtual Private Networks, all delivered over its privately owned, fiber-optic backbone.

In addition to network connectivity, Cogent provides data center colocation and managed services designed to support businesses with demanding bandwidth and redundancy requirements.