Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC Lowers Position in MDU Resources Group, Inc. $MDU

Key Points

• Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC reduced its stake in MDU Resources Group by 3.7%, holding 666,283 shares worth approximately $11.27 million at the end of the first quarter.
• MDU Resources Group recently declared an increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.14 per share, reflecting a dividend yield of 3.4% and a payout ratio of 49.06%.
• Despite a revenue increase of 1.9% year-over-year, MDU Resources Group reported earnings of $0.07 per share, missing analysts' expectations of $0.13.

Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC trimmed its holdings in MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE:MDU - Free Report) by 3.7% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 666,283 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 25,710 shares during the period. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC owned about 0.33% of MDU Resources Group worth $11,267,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in shares of MDU Resources Group during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $861,000. Mariner LLC lifted its stake in MDU Resources Group by 64.5% in the 4th quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 21,670 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $390,000 after purchasing an additional 8,496 shares in the last quarter. Walleye Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of MDU Resources Group by 51.6% during the 4th quarter. Walleye Capital LLC now owns 42,232 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $761,000 after purchasing an additional 14,366 shares during the last quarter. Jump Financial LLC grew its position in shares of MDU Resources Group by 121.6% during the fourth quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 54,693 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $986,000 after purchasing an additional 30,014 shares in the last quarter. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of MDU Resources Group by 13.1% in the fourth quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 62,072 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $1,119,000 after purchasing an additional 7,207 shares during the last quarter. 71.44% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

MDU Resources Group Trading Up 1.6%

MDU traded up $0.2550 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $16.6050. 483,138 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,689,364. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $16.69 and a 200 day moving average price of $16.81. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.39 billion, a PE ratio of 15.67, a PEG ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a quick ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75. MDU Resources Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $14.91 and a 52-week high of $30.52.

MDU Resources Group (NYSE:MDU - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 7th. The utilities provider reported $0.07 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.13 by ($0.06). The business had revenue of $351.20 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $315.67 million. MDU Resources Group had a return on equity of 8.29% and a net margin of 8.25%.The business's revenue for the quarter was up 1.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.32 EPS. MDU Resources Group has set its FY 2025 guidance at 0.880-0.950 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that MDU Resources Group, Inc. will post 0.94 EPS for the current fiscal year.

MDU Resources Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 1st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 11th will be given a $0.14 dividend. This represents a $0.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.4%. This is a boost from MDU Resources Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.13. MDU Resources Group's payout ratio is 52.83%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Wall Street Zen cut MDU Resources Group from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Saturday, August 9th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, MDU Resources Group presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $18.00.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CFO Jason L. Vollmer bought 5,000 shares of MDU Resources Group stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 19th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $16.27 per share, with a total value of $81,350.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 339,548 shares in the company, valued at $5,524,445.96. The trade was a 1.49% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.94% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About MDU Resources Group

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.