NorthWestern Energy Group (NYSE:NWE) Stock Price Expected to Rise, Barclays Analyst Says

NorthWestern Energy Group (NYSE:NWE - Free Report) had its price objective raised by Barclays from $56.00 to $59.00 in a research note published on Tuesday morning, MarketBeat.com reports. The firm currently has an overweight rating on the stock.

Other equities analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Guggenheim upgraded NorthWestern Energy Group from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on NorthWestern Energy Group from $60.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, April 14th. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH raised shares of NorthWestern Energy Group from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $57.50 price objective for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 15th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $59.92.

NorthWestern Energy Group Trading Down 0.4 %

Shares of NYSE NWE traded down $0.23 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $58.28. 279,157 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 381,482. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.97, a P/E/G ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.33. The company has a quick ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $56.19 and a 200-day moving average price of $54.67. NorthWestern Energy Group has a 1 year low of $48.52 and a 1 year high of $59.52.

NorthWestern Energy Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 14th were paid a dividend of $0.66 per share. This represents a $2.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.53%. This is an increase from NorthWestern Energy Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.65. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 14th. NorthWestern Energy Group's dividend payout ratio is 72.33%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Britt E. Ide sold 702 shares of NorthWestern Energy Group stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.32, for a total value of $38,132.64. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 11,021 shares in the company, valued at $598,660.72. This trade represents a 5.99 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.94% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On NorthWestern Energy Group

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. S.A. Mason LLC acquired a new stake in NorthWestern Energy Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new position in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group during the third quarter valued at $35,000. AdvisorNet Financial Inc raised its stake in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group by 29.3% during the fourth quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 883 shares of the company's stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group by 155.3% during the first quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 845 shares of the company's stock valued at $49,000 after purchasing an additional 514 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC lifted its holdings in NorthWestern Energy Group by 91.9% in the fourth quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 971 shares of the company's stock worth $52,000 after purchasing an additional 465 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.07% of the company's stock.

NorthWestern Energy Group Company Profile

NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc provides electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and various industrial customers. It generates, purchases, transmits, and distributes electricity; and produces, purchases, stores, transmits, and distributes natural gas, as well as owns municipal franchises to provide natural gas service in the communities.