NatWest Group plc Reduces Stock Holdings in NRG Energy, Inc. $NRG

Key Points

• NatWest Group plc has decreased its stake in NRG Energy by 21.5%, selling 25,505 shares during the first quarter, and now holds a total of 93,152 shares worth approximately $8.89 million.
• NRG Energy reported earnings per share of $1.68 for the latest quarter, missing expectations, while its revenue was $6.74 billion, exceeding the forecast.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.44 per share, representing an annual yield of 1.2% and a payout ratio of 79.64%.

NatWest Group plc lessened its stake in shares of NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG - Free Report) by 21.5% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 93,152 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 25,505 shares during the period. NRG Energy makes up about 2.6% of NatWest Group plc's portfolio, making the stock its 19th biggest position. NatWest Group plc's holdings in NRG Energy were worth $8,892,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of NRG. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT purchased a new stake in NRG Energy during the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. Key Financial Inc acquired a new stake in NRG Energy during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Evermay Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in NRG Energy during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Park Square Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in NRG Energy during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $53,000. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. lifted its stake in NRG Energy by 44.0% during the 1st quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 655 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $63,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.72% of the company's stock.

NRG Energy Price Performance

NYSE:NRG traded down $0.49 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $147.46. 1,672,696 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,980,689. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.99. The stock's 50-day moving average is $153.33 and its 200-day moving average is $132.23. The firm has a market cap of $28.52 billion, a PE ratio of 66.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 1.17. NRG Energy, Inc. has a twelve month low of $76.13 and a twelve month high of $175.96.

NRG Energy (NYSE:NRG - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.68 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.72 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $6.74 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.63 billion. NRG Energy had a return on equity of 88.22% and a net margin of 1.78%.The business's revenue was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $3.37 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that NRG Energy, Inc. will post 6.36 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

NRG Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 1st were issued a dividend of $0.44 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 1st. This represents a $1.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.2%. NRG Energy's dividend payout ratio is presently 79.64%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

NRG has been the subject of several research reports. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of NRG Energy from $197.00 to $203.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, August 7th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on shares of NRG Energy from $167.00 to $185.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 6th. Melius Research assumed coverage on shares of NRG Energy in a research note on Wednesday, August 20th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $308.00 target price for the company. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of NRG Energy from $165.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of NRG Energy from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, August 9th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $186.92.

About NRG Energy

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.