Xponance Inc. Increases Position in NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:NWE)

Xponance Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:NWE) by 5.1% during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 8,729 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 421 shares during the period. Xponance Inc.’s holdings in NorthWestern Energy Group were worth $467,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group during the fourth quarter worth about $29,978,000. River Road Asset Management LLC increased its stake in NorthWestern Energy Group by 6.1% during the 4th quarter. River Road Asset Management LLC now owns 2,371,931 shares of the company’s stock worth $126,803,000 after buying an additional 136,922 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its holdings in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group by 18.1% during the fourth quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 886,066 shares of the company’s stock valued at $47,369,000 after acquiring an additional 135,611 shares during the last quarter. Systematic Financial Management LP lifted its position in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group by 11.8% in the third quarter. Systematic Financial Management LP now owns 1,070,434 shares of the company’s stock valued at $61,250,000 after acquiring an additional 113,265 shares in the last quarter. Finally, FMR LLC boosted its stake in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group by 17.0% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 759,804 shares of the company’s stock worth $43,476,000 after acquiring an additional 110,461 shares during the last quarter. 96.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

NorthWestern Energy Group Price Performance

Shares of NWE stock opened at $55.49 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 0.52 and a quick ratio of 0.37. The company has a market capitalization of $3.40 billion, a PE ratio of 15.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.45. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $54.57 and its two-hundred day moving average is $54.49. NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $47.48 and a 12 month high of $57.49.

NorthWestern Energy Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Friday, March 14th will be issued a $0.66 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th. This is a boost from NorthWestern Energy Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.65. This represents a $2.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.76%. NorthWestern Energy Group’s dividend payout ratio is currently 72.33%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have weighed in on NWE shares. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded NorthWestern Energy Group from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $57.50 price objective on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 15th. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of NorthWestern Energy Group from $57.00 to $56.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 19th. Finally, Guggenheim upgraded shares of NorthWestern Energy Group from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $59.25.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other NorthWestern Energy Group news, Director Britt E. Ide sold 702 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.32, for a total transaction of $38,132.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 11,021 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $598,660.72. This trade represents a 5.99 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.94% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

NorthWestern Energy Group Company Profile

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.