Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:NXST) Receives Average Rating of "Moderate Buy" from Brokerages

Key Points

• Analyst consensus: Eight analysts give Nexstar a "Moderate Buy" (six buys, two holds) with an average 12‑month price target of $268.33, and several firms (Guggenheim, Wells Fargo, Deutsche Bank) have recently raised targets as high as $290.
• Dividend vs sustainability: Nexstar pays a quarterly dividend of $1.86 ($7.44 annualized) for a 3.8% yield, but the dividend payout ratio is an elevated 253.06%, signaling potential sustainability concerns.
• Valuation and trading: Shares opened at $196.59, implying a $5.96 billion market cap and a high P/E of 66.87, while the stock remains below its 52‑week high of $254.30.

Shares of Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:NXST - Get Free Report) have received a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" from the eight analysts that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $268.3333.

Several analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their target price on shares of Nexstar Media Group from $250.00 to $270.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, March 23rd. Guggenheim raised their price target on shares of Nexstar Media Group from $250.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, February 27th. Citigroup raised Nexstar Media Group from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $252.00 to $220.00 in a report on Friday, April 10th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a "hold (c+)" rating on shares of Nexstar Media Group in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on Nexstar Media Group from $250.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, February 27th.

Nexstar Media Group Stock Up 1.3%

NXST opened at $196.59 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $5.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 66.87, a P/E/G ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.05, a current ratio of 2.07 and a quick ratio of 2.07. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $221.96 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $207.35. Nexstar Media Group has a fifty-two week low of $141.66 and a fifty-two week high of $254.30.

Nexstar Media Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 13th were paid a dividend of $1.86 per share. This represents a $7.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.8%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 13th. Nexstar Media Group's dividend payout ratio is currently 253.06%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nexstar Media Group

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in NXST. CWA Asset Management Group LLC increased its position in shares of Nexstar Media Group by 1.7% during the 4th quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC now owns 3,103 shares of the company's stock worth $630,000 after purchasing an additional 51 shares in the last quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC boosted its position in Nexstar Media Group by 1.6% in the fourth quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 3,571 shares of the company's stock valued at $725,000 after buying an additional 56 shares in the last quarter. Truist Financial Corp grew its stake in Nexstar Media Group by 5.2% during the fourth quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 1,139 shares of the company's stock worth $231,000 after buying an additional 56 shares during the last quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Nexstar Media Group by 0.6% during the third quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 11,647 shares of the company's stock worth $2,222,000 after buying an additional 68 shares in the last quarter. Finally, WPG Advisers LLC increased its holdings in shares of Nexstar Media Group by 65.7% during the fourth quarter. WPG Advisers LLC now owns 179 shares of the company's stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.30% of the company's stock.

Nexstar Media Group Company Profile

Nexstar Media Group, Inc is a diversified American media company engaged primarily in the ownership, operation and strategic affiliation of local television stations, digital platforms and cable networks. The company provides a range of broadcast content, including local news, sports coverage, entertainment programming and syndicated shows, reaching audiences in more than 100 television markets across the United States.

Founded in 1996 by entrepreneur Perry Sook and headquartered in Irving, Texas, Nexstar has built its presence through organic growth and a series of high-profile acquisitions.

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