NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:NWE) Director Britt E. Ide Sells 700 Shares

NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:NWE) Director Britt E. Ide sold 700 shares of NorthWestern Energy Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.57, for a total value of $37,499.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 10,888 shares in the company, valued at approximately $583,270.16. This trade represents a 6.04 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website.

NorthWestern Energy Group Price Performance

NWE traded up $0.04 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $53.47. 65,661 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 345,441. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $55.04 and its 200 day moving average price is $53.36. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.28 billion, a PE ratio of 14.64, a P/E/G ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 0.48. NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $46.15 and a 1-year high of $57.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 0.45 and a quick ratio of 0.30.

NorthWestern Energy Group (NYSE:NWE) last announced its earnings results on Monday, October 28th. The company reported $0.65 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.70 by ($0.05). The company had revenue of $345.20 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $344.06 million. NorthWestern Energy Group had a net margin of 15.15% and a return on equity of 7.95%. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.49 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. will post 3.39 EPS for the current fiscal year.

NorthWestern Energy Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Friday, December 13th will be paid a $0.65 dividend. This represents a $2.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.86%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 13th. NorthWestern Energy Group’s payout ratio is 70.08%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have commented on NWE shares. Mizuho raised their target price on NorthWestern Energy Group from $52.00 to $56.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 9th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of NorthWestern Energy Group from $58.00 to $61.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 16th. Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of NorthWestern Energy Group in a report on Thursday, September 12th. They set a “buy” rating and a $65.00 price objective on the stock. StockNews.com cut shares of NorthWestern Energy Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 8th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of NorthWestern Energy Group from $56.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, October 21st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $57.00.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. V Square Quantitative Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group during the third quarter worth $26,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new position in NorthWestern Energy Group during the third quarter worth about $35,000. Quest Partners LLC acquired a new stake in NorthWestern Energy Group in the 3rd quarter worth about $45,000. CWM LLC grew its holdings in NorthWestern Energy Group by 140.2% in the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 992 shares of the company’s stock valued at $50,000 after buying an additional 579 shares during the period. Finally, nVerses Capital LLC increased its stake in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group by 150.0% during the 3rd quarter. nVerses Capital LLC now owns 1,000 shares of the company’s stock valued at $57,000 after acquiring an additional 600 shares during the last quarter. 96.07% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About NorthWestern Energy Group

NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc provides electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and various industrial customers. It generates, purchases, transmits, and distributes electricity; and produces, purchases, stores, transmits, and distributes natural gas, as well as owns municipal franchises to provide natural gas service in the communities.