MDU Resources Group (NYSE:MDU) Stock Price Crosses Above 50-Day Moving Average - Should You Sell?

Key Points

• MDU shares rose above their 50-day moving average, trading as high as $19.39 versus the average of $19.06; the last reported price was $19.256.
• Analysts’ consensus rating is Hold, with an average price target of $23.75. Ratings were mixed, including JPMorgan’s upgrade to Overweight and Weiss Ratings’ downgrade within Hold.
• Quarterly earnings per share of $0.08 missed the $0.10 consensus, though revenue rose 10.4% year over year. The company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.145, equivalent to a 3.0% annual yield.

MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE:MDU - Get Free Report) crossed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Monday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $19.06 and traded as high as $19.39. MDU Resources Group shares last traded at $19.2560, with a volume of 2,188,551 shares.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of MDU Resources Group from a "hold (c)" rating to a "hold (c-)" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of MDU Resources Group from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and set a $27.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Thursday, August 6th. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on shares of MDU Resources Group in a research note on Monday, July 13th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $25.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of MDU Resources Group from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $23.75.

MDU Resources Group Stock Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $19.06 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $20.53. The firm has a market cap of $3.94 billion, a PE ratio of 20.71, a P/E/G ratio of 3.66 and a beta of 0.66.

MDU Resources Group (NYSE:MDU - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 5th. The utilities provider reported $0.08 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.10 by ($0.02). MDU Resources Group had a return on equity of 6.89% and a net margin of 10.75%. The firm had revenue of $347.75 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $346.63 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.09 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 10.4% compared to the same quarter last year. MDU Resources Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 0.930-1.000 EPS. Research analysts forecast that MDU Resources Group, Inc. will post 0.98 EPS for the current fiscal year.

MDU Resources Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 1st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 10th were paid a $0.1450 dividend. This is a positive change from MDU Resources Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.14. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 10th. This represents a $0.58 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.0%. MDU Resources Group's dividend payout ratio is 62.37%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On MDU Resources Group

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC grew its holdings in MDU Resources Group by 315.6% in the 3rd quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 1,683 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 1,278 shares in the last quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont acquired a new stake in shares of MDU Resources Group in the 2nd quarter worth $39,000. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. raised its holdings in shares of MDU Resources Group by 40.4% during the 4th quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 2,101 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 605 shares during the period. Allworth Financial LP acquired a new position in shares of MDU Resources Group during the 2nd quarter valued at about $43,000. Finally, Fulcrum Asset Management LLP acquired a new position in shares of MDU Resources Group during the 3rd quarter valued at about $54,000. 71.44% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

MDU Resources Group Company Profile

MDU Resources Group is an energy delivery company that provides regulated electric and natural gas service and operates natural gas transmission infrastructure. Its utility businesses serve residential, commercial, industrial and other customers across parts of the northwestern and north-central United States.

The company's service area includes Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Minnesota. Its natural gas pipeline operations transport and store gas, supporting the delivery of energy to customers and communities.

Founded in 1924, MDU Resources has evolved from a regional utility into a multi-state energy company.

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