First Trust Advisors LP Grows Stake in MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE:MDU)

First Trust Advisors LP lifted its position in MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE:MDU - Free Report) by 132.0% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 6,999,856 shares of the utilities provider's stock after acquiring an additional 3,982,783 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP owned 3.43% of MDU Resources Group worth $126,137,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Principal Securities Inc. increased its stake in shares of MDU Resources Group by 164.4% during the fourth quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 1,470 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 914 shares in the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC grew its stake in shares of MDU Resources Group by 99.6% in the 4th quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 1,834 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 915 shares during the last quarter. Crews Bank & Trust bought a new position in MDU Resources Group during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. raised its stake in MDU Resources Group by 84.4% during the fourth quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 2,487 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $45,000 after buying an additional 1,138 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. boosted its holdings in MDU Resources Group by 19.4% in the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 3,505 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $63,000 after acquiring an additional 570 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.44% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MDU has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on MDU Resources Group in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. They issued a "hold" rating and a $18.00 price target for the company. StockNews.com lowered shares of MDU Resources Group from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Thursday, February 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $21.00.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Dennis W. Johnson acquired 30,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 10th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $16.64 per share, for a total transaction of $499,200.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 180,166 shares in the company, valued at $2,997,962.24. The trade was a 19.98 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 0.94% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

MDU Resources Group Stock Performance

Shares of MDU stock traded down $0.17 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $16.89. The company had a trading volume of 735,519 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,496,079. The firm has a market cap of $3.45 billion, a PE ratio of 12.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.68. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $16.69 and a 200-day moving average price of $18.92. MDU Resources Group, Inc. has a one year low of $13.23 and a one year high of $20.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 1.15.

MDU Resources Group (NYSE:MDU - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The utilities provider reported $0.34 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.31 by $0.03. MDU Resources Group had a net margin of 7.31% and a return on equity of 10.20%. Sell-side analysts predict that MDU Resources Group, Inc. will post 0.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

MDU Resources Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 13th were given a dividend of $0.13 per share. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.08%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 13th. MDU Resources Group's payout ratio is currently 37.68%.

MDU Resources Group Company Profile

MDU Resources Group, Inc engages in the regulated energy delivery, and construction materials and services businesses in the United States. It operates through four segments: Electric, Natural Gas Distribution, Pipeline, and Construction Services. The Electric segment generates, transmits, and distributes electricity for residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming; and operates 3,400 miles of transmission lines, 4,800 miles of distribution lines, and 82 transmission and 298 distribution substations.