NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:NWE) Director Britt E. Ide Sells 702 Shares

NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:NWE) Director Britt E. Ide sold 702 shares of NorthWestern Energy Group stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.32, for a total value of $38,132.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 11,021 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $598,660.72. This trade represents a 5.99 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link.

NorthWestern Energy Group Price Performance

NWE stock opened at $54.56 on Thursday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $53.37 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $54.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 0.52 and a quick ratio of 0.37. The stock has a market cap of $3.35 billion, a PE ratio of 14.95, a P/E/G ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.49. NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. has a one year low of $47.22 and a one year high of $57.49.

NorthWestern Energy Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Friday, March 14th will be paid a $0.66 dividend. This represents a $2.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.84%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 14th. This is a boost from NorthWestern Energy Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.65. NorthWestern Energy Group’s dividend payout ratio is currently 72.33%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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

Institutional Investors Weigh In On NorthWestern Energy Group

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. S.A. Mason LLC purchased a new position in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new position in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group during the third quarter worth approximately $35,000. Quest Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $45,000. AdvisorNet Financial Inc boosted its stake in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group by 29.3% in the 4th quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 883 shares of the company’s stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC grew its holdings in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group by 91.9% during the 4th quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 971 shares of the company’s stock valued at $52,000 after purchasing an additional 465 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 96.07% of the company’s stock.

About NorthWestern Energy Group

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.