Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES) Shares Bought by Investment Management Corp of Ontario

Investment Management Corp of Ontario boosted its stake in Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES - Free Report) by 60.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 18,689 shares of the utilities provider's stock after purchasing an additional 7,026 shares during the period. Investment Management Corp of Ontario's holdings in Eversource Energy were worth $1,073,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Barclays PLC boosted its stake in shares of Eversource Energy by 15.9% in the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 1,095,966 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $74,582,000 after buying an additional 150,535 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Eversource Energy by 4.5% during the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 413,874 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $28,164,000 after purchasing an additional 17,654 shares in the last quarter. Czech National Bank increased its holdings in Eversource Energy by 9.1% in the fourth quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 79,444 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $4,562,000 after buying an additional 6,641 shares during the last quarter. Brookstone Capital Management raised its stake in Eversource Energy by 1.8% in the fourth quarter. Brookstone Capital Management now owns 21,206 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $1,218,000 after buying an additional 380 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Eversource Energy during the 4th quarter worth about $208,000. 79.99% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Eversource Energy Trading Up 1.4%

Eversource Energy stock traded up $0.85 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $63.23. The stock had a trading volume of 2,129,339 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,416,174. The stock has a market capitalization of $23.23 billion, a PE ratio of 27.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.35 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a current ratio of 0.76. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $59.53 and its 200 day simple moving average is $59.86. Eversource Energy has a twelve month low of $52.28 and a twelve month high of $69.01.

Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The utilities provider reported $1.50 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts' consensus estimates of $1.50. The business had revenue of $4.12 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.65 billion. Eversource Energy had a net margin of 6.82% and a return on equity of 10.99%. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 23.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.49 EPS. Analysts expect that Eversource Energy will post 4.75 EPS for the current year.

Eversource Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.7525 per share. This represents a $3.01 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.76%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 15th. Eversource Energy's payout ratio is 129.74%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

ES has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Guggenheim reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Eversource Energy in a research note on Monday, February 10th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on shares of Eversource Energy from $71.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a report on Monday, April 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued an "underweight" rating and set a $58.00 price objective (down from $69.00) on shares of Eversource Energy in a research report on Thursday, April 10th. Barclays lowered their price target on Eversource Energy from $72.00 to $69.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price objective on shares of Eversource Energy from $52.00 to $47.00 and set an "underperform" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 28th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Eversource Energy presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $65.78.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Eversource Energy news, VP Jay S. Buth sold 980 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.99, for a total transaction of $61,730.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 24,374 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,535,318.26. This trade represents a 3.87% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Frederica M. Williams sold 3,092 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.26, for a total transaction of $192,507.92. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 22,671 shares in the company, valued at $1,411,496.46. The trade was a 12.00% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.41% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Eversource Energy Company Profile

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.