NorthWestern Energy Group (NYSE:NWE) Hits New 52-Week High – Still a Buy?

NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:NWE)’s share price reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The stock traded as high as $57.94 and last traded at $57.86, with a volume of 66806 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $56.80.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

NWE has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Barclays dropped their price objective on NorthWestern Energy Group from $57.00 to $56.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 19th. Guggenheim raised NorthWestern Energy Group from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded NorthWestern Energy Group from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $57.50 price objective for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 15th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $59.25.

NorthWestern Energy Group Price Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $3.59 billion, a PE ratio of 16.03, a P/E/G ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 0.37 and a current ratio of 0.52. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $54.78 and a 200-day moving average price of $54.54.

NorthWestern Energy Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 14th were paid a $0.66 dividend. This represents a $2.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.51%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 14th. This is a positive change from NorthWestern Energy Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.65. NorthWestern Energy Group’s payout ratio is 72.33%.

Insider Buying and Selling at NorthWestern Energy Group

In other news, Director Britt E. Ide sold 702 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.32, for a total transaction of $38,132.64. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 11,021 shares in the company, valued at approximately $598,660.72. This represents a 5.99 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.94% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NWE. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in NorthWestern Energy Group in the fourth quarter worth about $203,000. Pullen Investment Management LLC raised its position in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group by 46.0% in the 4th quarter. Pullen Investment Management LLC now owns 30,763 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,645,000 after purchasing an additional 9,696 shares during the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its stake in NorthWestern Energy Group by 144.1% in the 4th quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 10,247 shares of the company’s stock worth $548,000 after purchasing an additional 6,049 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC grew its position in NorthWestern Energy Group by 9.1% during the 4th quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 136,322 shares of the company’s stock worth $7,288,000 after purchasing an additional 11,324 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Voloridge Investment Management LLC increased its stake in NorthWestern Energy Group by 166.5% during the 4th quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC now owns 87,681 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,687,000 after purchasing an additional 54,785 shares in the last quarter. 96.07% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

NorthWestern Energy Group Company Profile

NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc provides electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and various industrial customers. It generates, purchases, transmits, and distributes electricity; and produces, purchases, stores, transmits, and distributes natural gas, as well as owns municipal franchises to provide natural gas service in the communities.