Prudential Financial Inc. Has $3.51 Million Stake in NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:NWE)

Prudential Financial Inc. boosted its stake in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:NWE) by 44.1% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 63,611 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 19,458 shares during the quarter. Prudential Financial Inc.’s holdings in NorthWestern Energy Group were worth $3,511,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Cerity Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group by 38.3% in the third quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 7,672 shares of the company’s stock worth $439,000 after acquiring an additional 2,125 shares during the period. FMR LLC raised its holdings in NorthWestern Energy Group by 17.0% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 759,804 shares of the company’s stock worth $43,476,000 after purchasing an additional 110,461 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its position in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group by 46.9% in the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 23,911 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,368,000 after purchasing an additional 7,629 shares during the period. Captrust Financial Advisors bought a new stake in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group in the 3rd quarter valued at $259,000. Finally, Paloma Partners Management Co acquired a new stake in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group during the third quarter worth $260,000. Institutional investors own 96.07% of the company’s stock.

NorthWestern Energy Group Stock Performance

Shares of NorthWestern Energy Group stock opened at $58.51 on Wednesday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $54.78 and a 200 day simple moving average of $54.54. NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. has a one year low of $47.48 and a one year high of $58.71. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $3.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.03, a PEG ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.45.

NorthWestern Energy Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 14th were given a dividend of $0.66 per share. This represents a $2.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.51%. This is a positive change from NorthWestern Energy Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.65. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 14th. NorthWestern Energy Group’s dividend payout ratio is presently 72.33%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Britt E. Ide sold 702 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.32, for a total value of $38,132.64. Following the sale, the director now owns 11,021 shares in the company, valued at $598,660.72. This represents a 5.99 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.94% of the stock is 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.