Nuveen Asset Management LLC Increases Position in Northwest Natural Holding (NYSE:NWN)

Nuveen Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Northwest Natural Holding (NYSE:NWN - Free Report) by 238.2% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 376,256 shares of the utilities provider's stock after buying an additional 265,013 shares during the quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC owned about 0.94% of Northwest Natural worth $14,885,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Northwest Natural by 4.5% during the fourth quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC now owns 6,079 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $240,000 after purchasing an additional 263 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement System lifted its position in Northwest Natural by 2.5% during the fourth quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 11,223 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $444,000 after purchasing an additional 273 shares during the period. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC lifted its position in Northwest Natural by 13.5% during the fourth quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 2,906 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $115,000 after purchasing an additional 345 shares during the period. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund lifted its position in Northwest Natural by 4.4% during the fourth quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 9,475 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $375,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the period. Finally, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans lifted its position in Northwest Natural by 2.2% during the fourth quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 31,020 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $1,227,000 after purchasing an additional 654 shares during the period. 75.13% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, VP David A. Weber sold 2,183 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $42.46, for a total transaction of $92,690.18. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 255 shares in the company, valued at $10,827.30. This represents a 89.54% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO David Hugo Anderson sold 7,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.46, for a total transaction of $310,950.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 117,382 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,866,657.72. This trade represents a 6.01% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 24,774 shares of company stock worth $1,037,295. Company insiders own 0.93% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Northwest Natural from $45.00 to $47.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 7th.

Northwest Natural Price Performance

Shares of Northwest Natural stock traded down $0.42 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $40.99. The stock had a trading volume of 315,841 shares, compared to its average volume of 248,930. The stock's 50 day moving average is $42.05 and its 200 day moving average is $41.34. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.65 billion, a PE ratio of 19.33 and a beta of 0.56. Northwest Natural Holding has a twelve month low of $34.82 and a twelve month high of $44.38. The company has a current ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15.

Northwest Natural (NYSE:NWN - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 6th. The utilities provider reported $2.28 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.09 by $0.19. The business had revenue of $494.28 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $464.65 million. Northwest Natural had a net margin of 6.90% and a return on equity of 5.89%. The company's revenue was up 14.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.69 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Northwest Natural Holding will post 2.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Northwest Natural Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 30th were given a $0.49 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, April 30th. This represents a $1.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.78%. Northwest Natural's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 77.78%.

Northwest Natural Company Profile

Northwest Natural Holding Company, through its subsidiary, Northwest Natural Gas Company, provides regulated natural gas distribution services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in the United States. The company operates a mist gas storage facility contracted to other utilities, third-party marketers, and electric generators; offers natural gas asset management services; and operates an appliance retail center.