Comparing MDU Resources Group (NYSE:MDU) & Enagas (OTCMKTS:ENGGY)

Enagas (OTCMKTS:ENGGY) and MDU Resources Group (NYSE:MDU) are both mid-cap utilities companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, risk, analyst recommendations, valuation, profitability, earnings and dividends.

Dividends

Enagas pays an annual dividend of $0.49 per share and has a dividend yield of 6.0%. MDU Resources Group pays an annual dividend of $0.56 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.7%. MDU Resources Group pays out 67.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. MDU Resources Group has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years.

Profitability

This table compares Enagas and MDU Resources Group’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Enagas	N/A	N/A	N/A
MDU Resources Group	8.25%	8.29%	3.20%

Institutional and Insider Ownership

71.4% of MDU Resources Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.2% of Enagas shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.9% of MDU Resources Group shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Enagas and MDU Resources Group”s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Enagas	$979.99 million	4.36	-$323.88 million	N/A	N/A
MDU Resources Group	$1.88 billion	2.23	$281.11 million	$0.83	24.65

MDU Resources Group has higher revenue and earnings than Enagas.

Risk & Volatility

Enagas has a beta of 0.5, meaning that its stock price is 50% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, MDU Resources Group has a beta of 0.73, meaning that its stock price is 27% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings for Enagas and MDU Resources Group, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Enagas	0	1	0	0	2.00
MDU Resources Group	1	3	1	0	2.00

MDU Resources Group has a consensus price target of $21.00, indicating a potential upside of 2.62%. Given MDU Resources Group’s higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe MDU Resources Group is more favorable than Enagas.

Summary

MDU Resources Group beats Enagas on 11 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Enagas

Enagás, S.A. engages in the development, operation, and maintenance of gas infrastructures in Spain and internationally. The company provides gas transportation services through gas pipelines; natural gas regasification services; and operates underground storage facilities. It is involved in the operation and technical management of the basic network and secondary transportation network for natural gas. The company operates approximately 12,000 kilometers of gas pipelines, 19 compressor stations and 416 regulation and metering stations. Enagás, S.A. was founded in 1972 and is based in Madrid, Spain.

About MDU Resources Group

MDU Resources Group, Inc. engages in the regulated energy delivery, and construction materials and services businesses in the United States. It operates through four segments: Electric, Natural Gas Distribution, Pipeline, and Construction Services. The Electric segment generates, transmits, and distributes electricity for residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming; and operates 3,400 miles of transmission lines, 4,800 miles of distribution lines, and 82 transmission and 298 distribution substations. The Natural Gas Distribution segment distributes natural gas for residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming; and supplies related value-added services. The Pipeline segment provides natural gas transportation and underground storage services through a regulated pipeline system primarily in the Rocky Mountain and northern Great Plains regions; and cathodic protection and other energy-related services. The Construction Services segment offers electrical and mechanical contracting services, including the construction and maintenance of electrical and communication wiring and infrastructure, fire suppression systems, mechanical piping, and services; transmission and distribution contracting services, comprise construction and maintenance of overhead and underground electrical, and gas and communication infrastructure; and manufactures and supplies transmission and distribution lines construction equipment and tools. It serves manufacturing, commercial, industrial, transportation, institutional, and renewable and government customers, as well as utilities. MDU Resources Group, Inc. was incorporated in 1924 and is headquartered in Bismarck, North Dakota.