EAM Global Investors LLC Invests $4.64 Million in MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE:MDU)

EAM Global Investors LLC purchased a new position in shares of MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE:MDU - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 257,508 shares of the utilities provider's stock, valued at approximately $4,640,000. EAM Global Investors LLC owned about 0.13% of MDU Resources Group as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. EAM Investors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of MDU Resources Group in the 4th quarter valued at $2,780,000. Keeley Teton Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in MDU Resources Group by 215.2% in the fourth quarter. Keeley Teton Advisors LLC now owns 420,741 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $7,582,000 after buying an additional 287,262 shares during the period. Jump Financial LLC boosted its stake in MDU Resources Group by 121.6% during the fourth quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 54,693 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $986,000 after acquiring an additional 30,014 shares in the last quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board increased its position in MDU Resources Group by 905.1% in the 4th quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board now owns 147,816 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $2,664,000 after buying an additional 133,109 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Walleye Capital LLC raised its position in shares of MDU Resources Group by 51.6% during the fourth quarter. Walleye Capital LLC now owns 42,232 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $761,000 after purchasing an additional 14,366 shares during the period. 71.44% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Dennis W. Johnson purchased 30,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 10th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $16.64 per share, with a total value of $499,200.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 180,166 shares in the company, valued at $2,997,962.24. This trade represents a 19.98 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 0.94% of the company's stock.

MDU Resources Group Trading Down 2.1 %

Shares of NYSE MDU traded down $0.35 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $16.42. The stock had a trading volume of 122,335 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,503,509. The firm has a market cap of $3.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 1.15. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $16.70 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $19.18. MDU Resources Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $13.23 and a 1 year high of $20.39.

MDU Resources Group (NYSE:MDU - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The utilities provider reported $0.34 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.31 by $0.03. MDU Resources Group had a net margin of 7.31% and a return on equity of 10.20%. On average, equities analysts anticipate that MDU Resources Group, Inc. will post 0.94 EPS for the current fiscal year.

MDU Resources Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Investors of record on Thursday, March 13th were paid a $0.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 13th. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.17%. MDU Resources Group's payout ratio is 37.68%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com lowered shares of MDU Resources Group from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 20th. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on MDU Resources Group in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. They set a "hold" rating and a $18.00 price objective on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $21.00.

MDU Resources Group Company Profile

MDU Resources Group, Inc engages in the regulated energy delivery, and construction materials and services businesses in the United States. It operates through four segments: Electric, Natural Gas Distribution, Pipeline, and Construction Services. The Electric segment generates, transmits, and distributes electricity for residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming; and operates 3,400 miles of transmission lines, 4,800 miles of distribution lines, and 82 transmission and 298 distribution substations.