River Road Asset Management LLC Has $126.80 Million Stock Holdings in NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:NWE)

River Road Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:NWE) by 6.1% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,371,931 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 136,922 shares during the period. NorthWestern Energy Group comprises approximately 1.7% of River Road Asset Management LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 11th biggest holding. River Road Asset Management LLC owned approximately 3.87% of NorthWestern Energy Group worth $126,803,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. S.A. Mason LLC acquired a new stake in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group in the fourth quarter valued at about $30,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new position in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Quest Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $45,000. AdvisorNet Financial Inc increased its position in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group by 29.3% during the 4th quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 883 shares of the company’s stock worth $47,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC increased its position 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 worth $52,000 after purchasing an additional 465 shares during the last quarter. 96.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

NorthWestern Energy Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:NWE opened at $56.49 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $3.46 billion, a PE ratio of 15.48, a PEG ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.45. NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $47.48 and a 12-month high of $57.49. The company has a quick ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $53.81 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $54.36.

NorthWestern Energy Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared 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 4.67%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 14th. This is an increase from NorthWestern Energy Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.65. NorthWestern Energy Group’s payout ratio is 72.33%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Britt E. Ide sold 702 shares of the firm’s 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 sale, the director now owns 11,021 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $598,660.72. This trade represents a 5.99 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Anthony Thomas Clark sold 7,400 shares of NorthWestern Energy Group stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.95, for a total value of $384,430.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 16,816 shares in the company, valued at $873,591.20. The trade was a 30.56 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.94% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Guggenheim upgraded shares of NorthWestern Energy Group from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 23rd. Barclays decreased their target price on 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 NorthWestern Energy Group from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $57.50 target price on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 15th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $59.25.

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.