Northwest Natural (NYSE:NWN) Sets New 12-Month High - Here's Why

Northwest Natural Holding (NYSE:NWN - Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $44.38 and last traded at $44.21, with a volume of 136252 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $43.16.

Northwest Natural Price Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $1.77 billion, a PE ratio of 20.76 and a beta of 0.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 0.72 and a quick ratio of 0.53. The stock's fifty day moving average is $41.85 and its 200-day moving average is $41.04.

Northwest Natural (NYSE:NWN - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, February 28th. The utilities provider reported $1.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.42 by ($0.01). Northwest Natural had a return on equity of 5.89% and a net margin of 6.90%. The firm had revenue of $370.90 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $395.05 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.21 earnings per share. The company's revenue was up 4.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that Northwest Natural Holding will post 2.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Northwest Natural Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 30th will be given a dividend of $0.49 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 30th. This represents a $1.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.45%. Northwest Natural's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 96.55%.

Insider Activity at Northwest Natural

In other news, VP David A. Weber sold 2,183 shares of Northwest Natural stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $42.46, for a total value of $92,690.18. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 255 shares of the company's stock, valued at $10,827.30. The trade was a 89.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CEO David Hugo Anderson sold 7,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, March 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $41.46, for a total value of $310,950.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 117,382 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,866,657.72. This represents a 6.01 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 25,192 shares of company stock valued at $1,054,793. 0.84% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Northwest Natural

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Northwest Natural by 4.5% during the fourth quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC now owns 6,079 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $240,000 after acquiring an additional 263 shares during the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System boosted its holdings in shares of Northwest Natural by 2.5% during the 4th quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 11,223 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $444,000 after purchasing an additional 273 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Northwest Natural by 24.6% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,689 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $72,000 after purchasing an additional 334 shares during the last quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC grew its position in shares of Northwest Natural by 13.5% in the fourth quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 2,906 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $115,000 after purchasing an additional 345 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund increased its holdings in shares of Northwest Natural by 4.4% in the fourth quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 9,475 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $375,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.13% of the company's stock.

Northwest Natural Company Profile

Northwest Natural Holding Company, through its subsidiary, Northwest Natural Gas Company, provides regulated natural gas distribution services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in the United States. The company operates a mist gas storage facility contracted to other utilities, third-party marketers, and electric generators; offers natural gas asset management services; and operates an appliance retail center.