South Dakota Investment Council Acquires 25,949 Shares of NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:NWE)

South Dakota Investment Council boosted its stake in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:NWE - Free Report) by 26.9% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 122,311 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 25,949 shares during the period. South Dakota Investment Council owned 0.20% of NorthWestern Energy Group worth $7,078,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Foundry Partners LLC increased its stake in NorthWestern Energy Group by 11.4% during the 1st quarter. Foundry Partners LLC now owns 10,673 shares of the company's stock worth $618,000 after acquiring an additional 1,088 shares during the period. Bailard Inc. increased its stake in NorthWestern Energy Group by 7.3% during the 1st quarter. Bailard Inc. now owns 8,800 shares of the company's stock worth $509,000 after acquiring an additional 600 shares during the period. Hager Investment Management Services LLC increased its stake in NorthWestern Energy Group by 52.7% during the 1st quarter. Hager Investment Management Services LLC now owns 9,275 shares of the company's stock worth $537,000 after acquiring an additional 3,200 shares during the period. CWM LLC increased its stake in NorthWestern Energy Group by 38.0% during the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 3,055 shares of the company's stock worth $177,000 after acquiring an additional 842 shares during the period. Finally, Louisiana State Employees Retirement System increased its stake in NorthWestern Energy Group by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 17,200 shares of the company's stock worth $995,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 96.07% of the company's stock.

NorthWestern Energy Group Stock Up 0.2%

Shares of NWE opened at $52.29 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $3.21 billion, a PE ratio of 14.33, a PEG ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.35. NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $50.43 and a 12 month high of $59.89. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $53.03 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $54.54. The company has a current ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 0.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94.

NorthWestern Energy Group (NYSE:NWE - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 30th. The company reported $1.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates 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 period in the prior year, the business posted $1.09 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. will post 3.63 EPS for the current year.

NorthWestern Energy Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 13th were given a dividend of $0.66 per share. This represents a $2.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.05%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 13th. NorthWestern Energy Group's payout ratio is presently 68.75%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on NWE. 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. 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. 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, 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. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $60.00.

NorthWestern Energy Group Profile

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.

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