UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC Grows Stock Holdings in WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:WEC)

UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC lifted its stake in WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:WEC - Free Report) by 25.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,657,213 shares of the utilities provider's stock after buying an additional 341,346 shares during the quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC owned about 0.52% of WEC Energy Group worth $155,844,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in WEC. Larson Financial Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of WEC Energy Group by 3,828.6% in the 4th quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 275 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 268 shares during the period. Prudent Man Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in WEC Energy Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Hoey Investments Inc. purchased a new stake in WEC Energy Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $42,000. Human Investing LLC purchased a new stake in WEC Energy Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $52,000. Finally, Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. grew its stake in WEC Energy Group by 140.8% during the 4th quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. now owns 590 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $55,000 after purchasing an additional 345 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 77.20% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently commented on the company. Wall Street Zen upgraded WEC Energy Group from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Scotiabank set a $115.00 target price on WEC Energy Group and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded WEC Energy Group from an "underweight" rating to a "neutral" rating and upped their target price for the stock from $106.00 to $108.00 in a research note on Tuesday, April 8th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on WEC Energy Group from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 5th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on WEC Energy Group from $115.00 to $124.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 7th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, WEC Energy Group has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $107.13.

Insider Activity at WEC Energy Group

In related news, VP Joshua M. Erickson sold 2,155 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.77, for a total value of $232,244.35. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 2,686 shares in the company, valued at approximately $289,470.22. This represents a 44.52% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Gale E. Klappa sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $108.62, for a total value of $2,715,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 274,955 shares of the company's stock, valued at $29,865,612.10. The trade was a 8.33% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.50% of the company's stock.

WEC Energy Group Price Performance

Shares of WEC Energy Group stock traded up $0.15 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $105.45. 359,190 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,271,237. The business has a 50-day moving average of $106.91 and a 200 day moving average of $102.26. WEC Energy Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $77.47 and a fifty-two week high of $111.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $33.65 billion, a PE ratio of 21.83, a PEG ratio of 2.60 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a quick ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.37.

WEC Energy Group (NYSE:WEC - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The utilities provider reported $2.27 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.18 by $0.09. WEC Energy Group had a return on equity of 12.39% and a net margin of 17.75%. The business had revenue of $3.15 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.81 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.97 earnings per share. The business's revenue was up 17.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts predict that WEC Energy Group, Inc. will post 5.23 EPS for the current year.

WEC Energy Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, June 1st. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 14th will be issued a $0.8975 dividend. This represents a $3.59 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.40%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, May 14th. This is a boost from WEC Energy Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.84. WEC Energy Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 69.59%.

About WEC Energy Group

WEC Energy Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides regulated natural gas and electricity, and renewable and nonregulated renewable energy services in the United States. It operates through Wisconsin, Illinois, Other States, Electric Transmission, and Non-Utility Energy Infrastructure segments.