SG Americas Securities LLC Makes New Investment in NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:NWE)

SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new position in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:NWE - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 10,823 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $626,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in NorthWestern Energy Group by 27.7% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,297 shares of the company's stock worth $133,000 after acquiring an additional 498 shares during the period. Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its stake in NorthWestern Energy Group by 155.3% during the 1st quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 845 shares of the company's stock worth $49,000 after acquiring an additional 514 shares during the period. Naples Global Advisors LLC increased its stake in NorthWestern Energy Group by 3.4% during the 1st quarter. Naples Global Advisors LLC now owns 27,815 shares of the company's stock worth $1,610,000 after acquiring an additional 910 shares during the period. HF Advisory Group LLC bought a new position in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group in the 1st quarter valued at $207,000. Finally, Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group in the 4th quarter valued at $203,000. Institutional investors own 96.07% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on NWE. Barclays lifted their price target on NorthWestern Energy Group from $56.00 to $59.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $56.00 price target (down previously from $57.50) on shares of NorthWestern Energy Group in a research note on Monday, June 2nd. BMO Capital Markets began coverage on NorthWestern Energy Group in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. They issued a "market perform" rating and a $60.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on NorthWestern Energy Group from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 1st. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, NorthWestern Energy Group currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $60.00.

NorthWestern Energy Group Price Performance

NWE stock traded down $0.23 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $50.85. 761,878 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 410,319. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.12 billion, a PE ratio of 13.93, a P/E/G ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.37. NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $48.52 and a 52 week high of $59.89. 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 has a fifty day moving average price of $55.50 and a 200 day moving average price of $54.64.

NorthWestern Energy Group (NYSE:NWE - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The company reported $1.22 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.18 by $0.04. NorthWestern Energy Group had a return on equity of 7.40% and a net margin of 14.81%. NorthWestern Energy Group's revenue for the quarter was down 1.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.09 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. will post 3.63 EPS for the current fiscal year.

NorthWestern Energy Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.66 per share. This represents a $2.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.19%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 13th. NorthWestern Energy Group's payout ratio is presently 68.75%.

About NorthWestern Energy Group

NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc provides electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and various industrial customers. It generates, purchases, transmits, and distributes electricity; and produces, purchases, stores, transmits, and distributes natural gas, as well as owns municipal franchises to provide natural gas service in the communities.