Stephens Inc. AR Invests $2.72 Million in Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES)

Stephens Inc. AR acquired a new stake in Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES - Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 43,739 shares of the utilities provider's stock, valued at approximately $2,717,000.

Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Eversource Energy by 3.2% in the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 44,609,716 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $2,561,936,000 after purchasing an additional 1,387,072 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its position in Eversource Energy by 38.6% in the fourth quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 16,470,356 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $945,893,000 after purchasing an additional 4,585,232 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in Eversource Energy by 5.7% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 9,557,213 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $547,550,000 after purchasing an additional 517,042 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC grew its position in Eversource Energy by 4.8% in the fourth quarter. FMR LLC now owns 7,352,593 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $422,259,000 after purchasing an additional 333,529 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Magellan Asset Management Ltd grew its position in Eversource Energy by 15.9% in the fourth quarter. Magellan Asset Management Ltd now owns 6,474,477 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $371,829,000 after purchasing an additional 890,514 shares in the last quarter. 79.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Eversource Energy Stock Up 0.6%

Shares of Eversource Energy stock traded up $0.41 during trading on Friday, reaching $65.25. 1,395,803 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,487,518. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71, a current ratio of 0.75 and a quick ratio of 0.66. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $64.15 and a 200-day moving average price of $60.90. Eversource Energy has a 1-year low of $52.28 and a 1-year high of $69.01. The firm has a market capitalization of $23.97 billion, a PE ratio of 28.06, a P/E/G ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 0.62.

Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The utilities provider reported $1.50 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.50. The company had revenue of $4.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.65 billion. Eversource Energy had a net margin of 6.63% and a return on equity of 11.04%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 23.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.49 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Eversource Energy will post 4.75 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Eversource Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 15th were issued a $0.7525 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 15th. This represents a $3.01 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.61%. Eversource Energy's dividend payout ratio is currently 129.74%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on ES shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Eversource Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Mizuho boosted their target price on shares of Eversource Energy from $68.00 to $72.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated an "underweight" rating and issued a $58.00 target price (down from $69.00) on shares of Eversource Energy in a research report on Thursday, April 10th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on shares of Eversource Energy from $71.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a research report on Monday, April 28th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $65.67.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Penelope M. Conner sold 2,600 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.00, for a total transaction of $166,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 10,988 shares in the company, valued at approximately $703,232. This represents a 19.13% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 0.41% of the company's stock.

About Eversource Energy

Eversource Energy, a public utility holding company, engages in the energy delivery business. The company operates through Electric Distribution, Electric Transmission, Natural Gas Distribution, and Water Distribution segments. It is involved in the transmission and distribution of electricity; solar power facilities; and distribution of natural gas.