Dorian LPG (NYSE:LPG) Shares Down 4.1% Following Insider Selling

Dorian LPG Ltd. (NYSE:LPG)’s stock price traded down 4.1% on Thursday following insider selling activity. The company traded as low as $27.40 and last traded at $27.4550. 122,448 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 75% from the average session volume of 498,278 shares. The stock had previously closed at $28.62.

Specifically, insider Tim Truels Hansen sold 25,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $28.85, for a total value of $721,250.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 212,842 shares in the company, valued at $6,140,491.70. This trade represents a 10.51% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently commented on the company. Wall Street Zen raised Dorian LPG from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, January 3rd. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Dorian LPG in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Pareto Securities downgraded Dorian LPG from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, November 10th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $35.00.

Dorian LPG Price Performance

The company has a current ratio of 3.32, a quick ratio of 3.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44. The company has a market capitalization of $1.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.34 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $25.63 and a 200 day moving average price of $28.08.

Dorian LPG (NYSE:LPG) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The shipping company reported $1.31 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.40 by ($0.09). Dorian LPG had a net margin of 26.02% and a return on equity of 9.13%. The business had revenue of $124.06 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $126.99 million. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.35 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 50.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that Dorian LPG Ltd. will post 2.6 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Dorian LPG Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 17th were paid a dividend of $0.65 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 17th. This represents a $2.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.4%. This is a boost from Dorian LPG’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.60. Dorian LPG’s dividend payout ratio is 44.84%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Evermay Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Dorian LPG during the second quarter worth approximately $32,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd bought a new position in shares of Dorian LPG during the third quarter worth approximately $41,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in Dorian LPG during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $41,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Dorian LPG by 1,003.8% during the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 1,446 shares of the shipping company’s stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 1,315 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Citizens National Bank Trust Department bought a new stake in Dorian LPG in the 3rd quarter valued at $45,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.50% of the company’s stock.

Dorian LPG Company Profile

Dorian LPG Ltd., incorporated in Bermuda and headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut, is a leading owner and operator of modern very large gas carriers (VLGCs). The company specializes in the maritime transportation of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), primarily propane and butane, for energy producers, commodity traders and trading houses around the world.

Dorian LPG’s fleet comprises over 30 state-of-the-art VLGCs, each designed for fuel efficiency and environmental performance. These vessels operate under medium- and long-term time charter agreements, providing predictable employment and supporting a stable charter revenue profile through contracts with major international energy companies.

The company serves global energy markets by transporting LPG cargoes along major trade routes linking production centers in the Middle East, U.S.