NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:NWE) Given Average Recommendation of “Hold” by Analysts

Shares of NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:NWE) have received an average recommendation of “Hold” from the six ratings firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and two have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $59.20.

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on NorthWestern Energy Group in a report on Monday, October 27th. They set an “equal weight” rating and a $58.00 price objective on the stock. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of NorthWestern Energy Group from $56.00 to $61.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of NorthWestern Energy Group from $60.00 to $61.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, December 12th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On NorthWestern Energy Group

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in NorthWestern Energy Group in the second quarter worth $321,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group during the second quarter worth about $347,000. Pacer Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group in the 3rd quarter worth about $1,100,000. Systematic Financial Management LP lifted its position in NorthWestern Energy Group by 2.7% in the 2nd quarter. Systematic Financial Management LP now owns 1,145,309 shares of the company’s stock valued at $58,754,000 after purchasing an additional 30,471 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. boosted its stake in NorthWestern Energy Group by 274.7% during the 2nd quarter. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. now owns 17,362 shares of the company’s stock valued at $891,000 after purchasing an additional 12,728 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 96.07% of the company’s stock.

NorthWestern Energy Group Stock Performance

Shares of NWE stock opened at $65.86 on Tuesday. 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’s fifty day moving average price is $65.63 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $59.53. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.04, a P/E/G ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.35. NorthWestern Energy Group has a 12 month low of $50.46 and a 12 month high of $69.23.

NorthWestern Energy Group (NYSE:NWE) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $0.79 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.75 by $0.04. NorthWestern Energy Group had a return on equity of 7.40% and a net margin of 14.81%.During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.65 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 12.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that NorthWestern Energy Group will post 3.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

NorthWestern Energy Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th were given a $0.66 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 15th. This represents a $2.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.0%. NorthWestern Energy Group’s payout ratio is presently 74.79%.

About NorthWestern Energy Group

NorthWestern Energy Group (NYSE: NWE) is a regulated energy utility company based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The company delivers electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial and industrial customers across a service territory that spans Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, NorthWestern Corporation, it operates a diversified portfolio of generation assets, including thermal, hydroelectric and renewable facilities, as well as an extensive network of transmission and distribution lines.

NorthWestern Energy’s primary business activities encompass the delivery, transmission and sale of electric and natural gas services.