Federated Hermes Inc. Acquires 258,806 Shares of Entergy Co. (NYSE:ETR)

Federated Hermes Inc. raised its stake in shares of Entergy Co. (NYSE:ETR - Free Report) by 9.8% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 2,904,933 shares of the utilities provider's stock after buying an additional 258,806 shares during the quarter. Entergy comprises about 0.7% of Federated Hermes Inc.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 26th biggest position. Federated Hermes Inc. owned about 1.37% of Entergy worth $293,950,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Entergy by 157.1% during the third quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 270 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 165 shares during the last quarter. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new stake in shares of Entergy during the first quarter worth $29,000. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Entergy during the third quarter worth $32,000. Fortis Group Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Entergy during the third quarter worth $32,000. Finally, Harbour Investments Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Entergy by 17,550.0% during the third quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 353 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 351 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.07% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and issued a $117.00 target price on shares of Entergy in a research report on Monday, February 26th. BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on Entergy from $110.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, February 26th. Finally, Barclays cut their target price on Entergy from $108.00 to $107.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $109.78.

Insider Transactions at Entergy

In other news, EVP Kimberly Cook-Nelson sold 2,000 shares of Entergy stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.35, for a total transaction of $200,700.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 16,037 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,609,312.95. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, EVP Marcus V. Brown sold 8,500 shares of Entergy stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $102.84, for a total value of $874,140.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 9,911 shares in the company, valued at $1,019,247.24. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Kimberly Cook-Nelson sold 2,000 shares of Entergy stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.35, for a total value of $200,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 16,037 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,609,312.95. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 12,000 shares of company stock valued at $1,226,685. 0.39% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Entergy Stock Up 0.5 %

NYSE:ETR traded up $0.56 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $103.75. The company had a trading volume of 1,796,769 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,367,696. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $102.44 and a 200-day simple moving average of $100.01. The company has a current ratio of 0.57, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.57. Entergy Co. has a 1 year low of $87.10 and a 1 year high of $109.85. The firm has a market capitalization of $22.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.36, a PEG ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 0.71.

Entergy (NYSE:ETR - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 22nd. The utilities provider reported $0.52 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.52. Entergy had a return on equity of 10.54% and a net margin of 19.41%. The company had revenue of $2.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.27 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.51 earnings per share. Equities analysts forecast that Entergy Co. will post 7.22 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Entergy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 3rd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 2nd will be given a dividend of $1.13 per share. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.36%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 1st. Entergy's payout ratio is 40.76%.

Entergy Company Profile

Entergy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and retail distribution of electricity in the United States. It generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power in portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, including the City of New Orleans; and distributes natural gas.