Nomura Holdings Inc. Decreases Stake in Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL)

Nomura Holdings Inc. reduced its stake in Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL - Free Report) by 79.2% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 62,856 shares of the company's stock after selling 239,683 shares during the period. Nomura Holdings Inc.'s holdings in Xcel Energy were worth $4,244,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Sierra Ocean LLC purchased a new position in Xcel Energy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Fairway Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Xcel Energy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Crews Bank & Trust purchased a new position in Xcel Energy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. MCF Advisors LLC increased its stake in Xcel Energy by 566.3% in the 4th quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 593 shares of the company's stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 504 shares during the period. Finally, Rothschild Investment LLC increased its stake in Xcel Energy by 26.0% in the 4th quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 731 shares of the company's stock worth $49,000 after purchasing an additional 151 shares during the period. 78.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Xcel Energy Stock Up 1.6%

Shares of NASDAQ XEL traded up $1.12 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $72.38. 7,152,902 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,620,693. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.93. Xcel Energy Inc. has a 52 week low of $51.97 and a 52 week high of $73.38. The company has a market cap of $41.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.04, a PEG ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.38. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $69.73 and a 200-day moving average price of $68.75.

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The company reported $0.84 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.95 by ($0.11). Xcel Energy had a net margin of 14.40% and a return on equity of 10.65%. The firm had revenue of $3.91 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.93 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.88 earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 7.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that Xcel Energy Inc. will post 3.82 EPS for the current year.

Xcel Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, April 20th. Investors of record on Friday, March 14th were given a dividend of $0.57 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 14th. This is a positive change from Xcel Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.55. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.15%. Xcel Energy's payout ratio is currently 67.06%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Devin W. Stockfish bought 2,170 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 11th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $68.93 per share, with a total value of $149,578.10. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 3,007 shares of the company's stock, valued at $207,272.51. The trade was a 259.26% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.09% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. UBS Group boosted their target price on Xcel Energy from $73.00 to $77.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 1st. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on Xcel Energy from $69.00 to $73.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. Morgan Stanley set a $79.00 target price on Xcel Energy and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on Xcel Energy from $74.00 to $77.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Xcel Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Xcel Energy currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $76.00.

Xcel Energy Profile

Xcel Energy Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, purchasing, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity. It operates through Regulated Electric Utility, Regulated Natural Gas Utility, and All Other segments. The company generates electricity through wind, nuclear, hydroelectric, biomass, and solar energy sources, as well as coal, natural gas, oil, wood, and refuse-derived fuels.