World Equity Group Inc. Makes New Investment in Sempra (NYSE:SRE)

World Equity Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Sempra (NYSE:SRE) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 5,316 shares of the utilities provider’s stock, valued at approximately $466,000.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Howard Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in Sempra by 5.1% during the fourth quarter. Howard Capital Management Inc. now owns 4,130 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $362,000 after buying an additional 199 shares during the period. Wealthspire Advisors LLC grew its stake in Sempra by 4.2% during the fourth quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC now owns 5,263 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $462,000 after buying an additional 214 shares during the period. TCW Group Inc. grew its stake in Sempra by 65.6% during the fourth quarter. TCW Group Inc. now owns 139,606 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $12,246,000 after buying an additional 55,305 shares during the period. Fisher Funds Management LTD purchased a new stake in Sempra during the fourth quarter worth approximately $6,273,000. Finally, Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc acquired a new position in shares of Sempra during the fourth quarter worth $243,000. 89.65% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have recently commented on SRE shares. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Sempra from $87.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Morgan Stanley raised shares of Sempra from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $85.00 to $98.00 in a research report on Friday, December 13th. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on shares of Sempra from $84.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Finally, Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Sempra from $99.00 to $95.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 27th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $91.20.

Insider Activity at Sempra

In other Sempra news, SVP Alexander Lisa Larroque sold 2,755 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $81.93, for a total transaction of $225,717.15. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 13,905 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,139,236.65. This represents a 16.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Jeffrey W. Martin sold 49,737 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $82.94, for a total transaction of $4,125,186.78. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 2 shares in the company, valued at $165.88. This trade represents a 100.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.24% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Sempra Trading Up 1.3 %

SRE opened at $87.11 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $55.18 billion, a PE ratio of 19.19, a P/E/G ratio of 2.19 and a beta of 0.78. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $84.31 and its 200 day moving average price is $84.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 0.52 and a quick ratio of 0.47. Sempra has a 12-month low of $66.40 and a 12-month high of $95.77.

Sempra Profile

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.