Unitil (NYSE:UTL) Hits New 1-Year Low - Here's Why

Key Points

• Unitil Corporation's share price reached a new **52-week low** of $46.31 on Wednesday, reflecting a decline of 0.6% from the previous close.
• The company recently **reported quarterly earnings** of $0.29 EPS, exceeding analysts' expectations, with revenue matching consensus estimates at **$101 million**.
• A **quarterly dividend** of $0.45 has been declared, representing an annualized yield of **3.9%** and a payout ratio of **61.86%**.

Unitil Corporation (NYSE:UTL - Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $46.31 and last traded at $46.55, with a volume of 133174 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $46.82.

Unitil Trading Up 0.3%

The company has a current ratio of 0.58, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $50.48 and a 200-day moving average price of $53.98. The firm has a market capitalization of $829.40 million, a PE ratio of 16.11 and a beta of 0.68.

Unitil (NYSE:UTL - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 4th. The utilities provider reported $0.29 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.28 by $0.01. Unitil had a return on equity of 9.46% and a net margin of 9.54%.The firm had revenue of $101.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $101.00 million. Analysts expect that Unitil Corporation will post 3.08 earnings per share for the current year.

Unitil Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 28th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 14th were paid a $0.45 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 14th. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.8%. Unitil's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 61.86%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Unitil by 6.4% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 1,365,282 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $78,763,000 after acquiring an additional 82,137 shares in the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company raised its holdings in Unitil by 17.8% during the second quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 717,423 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $37,414,000 after purchasing an additional 108,254 shares during the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company boosted its position in Unitil by 8.6% during the first quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 609,169 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $35,143,000 after purchasing an additional 48,225 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its holdings in Unitil by 4.2% in the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 593,190 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $30,935,000 after purchasing an additional 23,820 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Unitil by 1.3% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 385,714 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $20,116,000 after purchasing an additional 4,824 shares during the last quarter. 76.76% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Unitil Company Profile

Unitil Corporation, a public utility holding company, engages in the distribution of electricity and natural gas. It operates through two segments, Utility Electric Operations, Utility Gas Operations. The company distributes electricity in the southeastern seacoast and state capital regions of New Hampshire, and the greater Fitchburg area of north central Massachusetts; and distributes natural gas in southeastern New Hampshire and portions of southern and central Maine, including the city of Portland and the Lewiston-Auburn area, as well as electricity and natural gas in the greater Fitchburg area of north central Massachusetts.