Inspire Investing LLC Reduces Position in NRG Energy, Inc. $NRG

Inspire Investing LLC trimmed its stake in NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG) by 4.5% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 29,260 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after selling 1,379 shares during the period. Inspire Investing LLC’s holdings in NRG Energy were worth $4,698,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Toth Financial Advisory Corp purchased a new position in shares of NRG Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. ORG Partners LLC grew its position in shares of NRG Energy by 422.2% in the 2nd quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 282 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 228 shares during the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT purchased a new position in shares of NRG Energy in the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. Key Financial Inc purchased a new position in shares of NRG Energy in the 1st quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, SJS Investment Consulting Inc. grew its position in shares of NRG Energy by 616.3% in the 2nd quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 351 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $56,000 after buying an additional 302 shares during the last quarter. 97.72% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

NRG Energy Stock Down 4.5%

NRG stock opened at $160.66 on Friday. NRG Energy, Inc. has a one year low of $79.57 and a one year high of $175.96. The stock has a market capitalization of $31.08 billion, a PE ratio of 72.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.99, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 0.93. The company has a fifty day moving average of $157.20 and a 200-day moving average of $143.03.

NRG Energy (NYSE:NRG) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.68 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.72 by ($0.04). NRG Energy had a net margin of 1.78% and a return on equity of 88.22%. The company had revenue of $6.74 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.63 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $3.37 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that NRG Energy, Inc. will post 6.36 EPS for the current year.

NRG Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 15th. Investors of record on Friday, August 1st were paid a $0.44 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 1st. This represents a $1.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.1%. NRG Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 79.64%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

NRG has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Citigroup increased their price target on shares of NRG Energy from $133.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 17th. Raymond James Financial initiated coverage on shares of NRG Energy in a research note on Friday, June 13th. They set a “strong-buy” rating and a $195.00 price target for the company. Melius Research initiated coverage on shares of NRG Energy in a research note on Wednesday, August 20th. They set a “buy” rating and a $308.00 price target for the company. Barclays increased their price target on shares of NRG Energy from $197.00 to $203.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 7th. Finally, Melius assumed coverage on shares of NRG Energy in a research note on Wednesday, August 20th. They set a “buy” rating and a $308.00 price target for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, NRG Energy has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $188.85.

Insider Activity at NRG Energy

In related news, VP Dak Liyanearachchi sold 10,672 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.00, for a total value of $1,654,160.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president owned 48,571 shares in the company, valued at $7,528,505. This trade represents a 18.01% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.86% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

NRG Energy Profile

NRG Energy, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy and home services company in the United States and Canada. It operates through Texas; East; West/Services/Other; Vivint Smart Home; and Corporate Activities segments. The company produces and sells electricity generated using coal, oil, solar, and battery storage; natural gas; and a cloud-based home platform, including hardware, software, sales, installation, customer service, technical support, and professional monitoring solutions.