Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. Raises Holdings in Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL)

Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. boosted its stake in Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL) by 18.1% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 55,368 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 8,476 shares during the period. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P.’s holdings in Xcel Energy were worth $3,737,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Sterling Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Xcel Energy by 60.1% in the 4th quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 34,160 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,306,000 after buying an additional 12,822 shares during the last quarter. Heritage Trust Co bought a new stake in Xcel Energy in the fourth quarter valued at $418,000. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina increased its position in Xcel Energy by 3.9% during the 4th quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina now owns 391,107 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,408,000 after purchasing an additional 14,782 shares during the period. Legacy Financial Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of Xcel Energy by 7.8% in the 4th quarter. Legacy Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 5,682 shares of the company’s stock worth $384,000 after purchasing an additional 413 shares during the period. Finally, Bessemer Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Xcel Energy by 3.0% during the 4th quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 15,942 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,076,000 after purchasing an additional 458 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 78.38% of the company’s stock.

Xcel Energy Stock Up 1.5 %

NASDAQ XEL opened at $70.13 on Friday. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $69.38 and its 200-day moving average price is $67.80. The company has a market capitalization of $40.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.39. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42. Xcel Energy Inc. has a 52 week low of $51.97 and a 52 week high of $73.38.

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $0.81 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.87 by ($0.06). Xcel Energy had a return on equity of 10.65% and a net margin of 14.40%. On average, equities research analysts predict that Xcel Energy Inc. will post 3.82 earnings per share for the current year.

Xcel Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, April 20th. Investors of record on Friday, March 14th will be given a dividend of $0.57 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.25%. This is a boost from Xcel Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.55. Xcel Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 66.28%.

Insider Activity at Xcel Energy

In related news, Director Devin W. Stockfish bought 2,170 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 11th. The shares were purchased at an average price 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. This represents a 259.26 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.09% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

XEL has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Xcel Energy from $75.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Thursday, March 20th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Xcel Energy from $72.00 to $75.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, February 7th. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Xcel Energy from $69.00 to $72.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, March 31st. Finally, UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Xcel Energy from $73.00 to $77.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 1st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued 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 $73.00.

About Xcel Energy

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.