Birchcliff Energy (TSE:BIR) Stock Price Crosses Above 200-Day Moving Average – Should You Sell?

Shares of Birchcliff Energy Ltd. (TSE:BIR) passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of C$5.61 and traded as high as C$5.96. Birchcliff Energy shares last traded at C$5.79, with a volume of 936,178 shares traded.

Analyst Ratings Changes

BIR has been the subject of a number of research reports. National Bankshares reduced their target price on shares of Birchcliff Energy from C$6.50 to C$6.00 in a report on Friday, September 27th. Canaccord Genuity Group decreased their price target on shares of Birchcliff Energy from C$6.00 to C$5.75 in a research note on Friday, November 15th. TD Securities lowered their price target on shares of Birchcliff Energy from C$5.50 to C$5.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 1st. Cormark upgraded shares of Birchcliff Energy to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, September 23rd. Finally, Scotiabank reduced their price target on Birchcliff Energy from C$7.50 to C$7.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Birchcliff Energy presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of C$6.45.

Birchcliff Energy Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 22.26, a current ratio of 1.52 and a quick ratio of 0.97. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of C$5.22 and a 200-day moving average price of C$5.61. The stock has a market capitalization of C$1.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.35 and a beta of 1.93.

Birchcliff Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 31st were given a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.91%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 13th. Birchcliff Energy’s payout ratio is currently 250.00%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Birchcliff Energy

In related news, Senior Officer Hue Tran sold 28,600 shares of Birchcliff Energy stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$5.10, for a total value of C$145,860.00. Also, Director Aaron Jeffery Tonken sold 200,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of C$5.53, for a total value of C$1,106,000.00. Insiders have sold 260,000 shares of company stock worth $1,409,488 over the last quarter. 1.55% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Birchcliff Energy Company Profile

Birchcliff Energy Ltd is an intermediate oil and gas company that explores for, develops, and produces natural gas, light oil, and natural gas liquids. The company conducts its drilling program in resource plays located in the Peace River Arch region of Alberta. Birchcliff focuses on operating nearly all its high working production, which is surrounded by blocks of high working interest lands where it owns and/or controls the infrastructure.