Squarepoint Ops LLC Raises Holdings in Middlesex Water (NASDAQ:MSEX)

Squarepoint Ops LLC grew its holdings in Middlesex Water (NASDAQ:MSEX - Free Report) by 119.0% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 25,373 shares of the utilities provider's stock after buying an additional 13,786 shares during the quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC owned approximately 0.14% of Middlesex Water worth $1,335,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in MSEX. Two Sigma Investments LP purchased a new stake in Middlesex Water in the fourth quarter worth about $829,000. ProShare Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Middlesex Water by 13.5% in the 4th quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 133,629 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $7,033,000 after buying an additional 15,878 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Middlesex Water in the 4th quarter worth about $2,224,000. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its position in Middlesex Water by 5.8% during the 4th quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 12,863 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $677,000 after acquiring an additional 702 shares during the period. Finally, Ellevest Inc. boosted its stake in Middlesex Water by 3.8% during the fourth quarter. Ellevest Inc. now owns 6,395 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $337,000 after acquiring an additional 233 shares in the last quarter. 79.52% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Dennis W. Doll sold 4,067 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.05, for a total value of $244,223.35. Following the transaction, the director now owns 52,112 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,129,325.60. This trade represents a 7.24% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 1.32% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on MSEX shares. Janney Montgomery Scott upgraded shares of Middlesex Water from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $66.00 target price for the company in a report on Monday, May 12th. Baird R W raised Middlesex Water from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, March 3rd. Wall Street Zen downgraded Middlesex Water from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised Middlesex Water from a "neutral" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $61.00 price target for the company in a research report on Monday, March 3rd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $61.00.

Middlesex Water Stock Down 2.2%

Shares of Middlesex Water stock traded down $1.26 on Wednesday, reaching $56.14. The company's stock had a trading volume of 68,107 shares, compared to its average volume of 132,795. The company has a market capitalization of $1.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.41, a P/E/G ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a quick ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. Middlesex Water has a 52 week low of $48.18 and a 52 week high of $70.73. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $60.47 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $57.60.

Middlesex Water (NASDAQ:MSEX - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The utilities provider reported $0.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.55 by ($0.02). Middlesex Water had a net margin of 22.53% and a return on equity of 9.58%. The company had revenue of $44.30 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $43.79 million. Equities analysts anticipate that Middlesex Water will post 2.34 earnings per share for the current year.

Middlesex Water Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 2nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 15th were paid a $0.34 dividend. This represents a $1.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.42%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 15th. Middlesex Water's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 56.43%.

About Middlesex Water

Middlesex Water Company owns and operates regulated water utility and wastewater systems. It operates in Regulated and Non-Regulated segments. The Regulated segment collects, treats, and distributes water on a retail and wholesale basis to residential, commercial, industrial, and fire protection customers, as well as provides regulated wastewater systems in New Jersey and Delaware.