Unitil (NYSE:UTL) Reaches New 1-Year Low - What's Next?

Key Points

• Unitil Corporation's stock has reached a new 52-week low at $50.74, with a trading volume of 49,084 shares, amid a market capitalization of approximately $824.98 million.
• The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $1.74 for the last quarter, missing analysts' estimates by $0.04, although it achieved revenue of $207 million, surpassing expectations.
• Unitil recently declared a quarterly dividend of $0.45, leading to an annualized dividend of $1.80 and a dividend yield of 3.55%, with a payout ratio of 61.43%.

Unitil Corporation (NYSE:UTL - Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week low on Monday . The company traded as low as $50.74 and last traded at $50.74, with a volume of 49084 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $51.91.

Unitil Stock Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $824.98 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.32 and a beta of 0.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a current ratio of 0.66. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $52.69 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $54.86.

Unitil (NYSE:UTL - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.78 by ($0.04). Unitil had a return on equity of 9.49% and a net margin of 9.74%. The business had revenue of $207.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $193.03 million. Equities research analysts predict that Unitil Corporation will post 3.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Unitil Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 15th were given a $0.45 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 15th. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.55%. Unitil's payout ratio is currently 61.43%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of UTL. Sterling Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Unitil by 798.2% in the 4th quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 512 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 455 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC raised its position in shares of Unitil by 45.8% during the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 882 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $46,000 after buying an additional 277 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in shares of Unitil by 27.8% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 887 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $51,000 after buying an additional 193 shares in the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new stake in shares of Unitil during the 1st quarter worth about $99,000. Finally, AlphaQuest LLC bought a new stake in shares of Unitil during the 1st quarter worth about $100,000. 76.76% of the stock is currently owned by 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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. This story was reviewed by MarketBeat's editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.