Unitil (NYSE:UTL) Sets New 52-Week High at $60.99

Unitil Co. (NYSE:UTL)’s stock price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $60.99 and last traded at $60.86, with a volume of 21002 shares. The stock had previously closed at $59.46.

Unitil Trading Up 2.8 %

The company has a quick ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $52.98 and its 200 day simple moving average is $51.50. The stock has a market capitalization of $987.99 million, a P/E ratio of 20.02 and a beta of 0.60.

Unitil (NYSE:UTL) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, May 7th. The utilities provider reported $1.69 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.58 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $178.70 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $209.00 million. Unitil had a net margin of 9.37% and a return on equity of 9.84%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Unitil Co. will post 2.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Unitil Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 16th were given a dividend of $0.425 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 15th. This represents a $1.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.78%. Unitil’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 56.67%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Unitil

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of UTL. Anchor Capital Advisors LLC increased its stake in Unitil by 1.2% in the 1st quarter. Anchor Capital Advisors LLC now owns 25,615 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $1,341,000 after purchasing an additional 301 shares in the last quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System raised its holdings in shares of Unitil by 1.9% during the first quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 19,555 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $954,000 after acquiring an additional 365 shares during the period. Cerity Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Unitil by 6.5% in the 4th quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 7,593 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $399,000 after acquiring an additional 465 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC boosted its stake in Unitil by 5.0% in the 1st quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 12,088 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $633,000 after purchasing an additional 581 shares during the period. Finally, 1620 Investment Advisors Inc. grew its position in Unitil by 10.0% during the 2nd quarter. 1620 Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 7,145 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $370,000 after purchasing an additional 648 shares in the last quarter. 76.76% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.