Northern Trust Corp Has $28.40 Million Stock Holdings in MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE:MDU)

Northern Trust Corp trimmed its holdings in shares of MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE:MDU - Free Report) by 3.1% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 1,575,902 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 49,912 shares during the quarter. Northern Trust Corp owned about 0.77% of MDU Resources Group worth $28,398,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Friedenthal Financial bought a new stake in shares of MDU Resources Group during the 4th quarter worth about $778,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. raised its position in shares of MDU Resources Group by 42.2% in the fourth quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 115,907 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $2,089,000 after purchasing an additional 34,409 shares during the period. Cascade Investment Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in shares of MDU Resources Group by 21.3% in the fourth quarter. Cascade Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 81,626 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $1,471,000 after buying an additional 14,360 shares during the last quarter. Advisors Preferred LLC bought a new stake in shares of MDU Resources Group during the 4th quarter worth $5,691,000. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its stake in MDU Resources Group by 109.3% in the 4th quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 988,008 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $17,804,000 after buying an additional 515,878 shares during the last quarter. 71.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

MDU Resources Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:MDU traded down $0.26 on Wednesday, hitting $16.75. 1,571,227 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,471,831. The company's 50 day moving average price is $16.80 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $17.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 1.15. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.14, a PEG ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.72. MDU Resources Group, Inc. has a one year low of $13.23 and a one year high of $20.39.

MDU Resources Group (NYSE:MDU - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 8th. The utilities provider reported $0.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.36 by $0.04. MDU Resources Group had a net margin of 7.31% and a return on equity of 10.20%. The firm had revenue of $674.80 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $653.13 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.52 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 14.7% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that MDU Resources Group, Inc. will post 0.94 earnings per share for the current year.

MDU Resources Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 1st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 12th will be paid a $0.13 dividend. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.10%. MDU Resources Group's dividend payout ratio is currently 40.31%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com raised MDU Resources Group from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $21.00.

About MDU Resources Group

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.