Exchange Traded Concepts LLC Invests $3.24 Million in MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE:MDU)

Exchange Traded Concepts LLC purchased a new position in shares of MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE:MDU - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 180,041 shares of the utilities provider's stock, valued at approximately $3,244,000. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC owned approximately 0.09% of MDU Resources Group at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. V Square Quantitative Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of MDU Resources Group in the 3rd quarter worth $25,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC grew its position in MDU Resources Group by 158.9% in the 3rd quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,196 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 734 shares in the last quarter. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in MDU Resources Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $40,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its position in shares of MDU Resources Group by 23.9% during the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 2,142 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $54,000 after buying an additional 413 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. boosted its stake in shares of MDU Resources Group by 238.1% in the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 2,935 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $74,000 after buying an additional 2,067 shares during the last quarter. 71.44% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently commented on the company. Siebert Williams Shank raised MDU Resources Group from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $19.00 price target for the company in a research report on Monday, November 4th. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on MDU Resources Group in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. They set a "hold" rating and a $18.00 target price on the stock. Bank of America upgraded shares of MDU Resources Group from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and reduced their price target for the company from $31.00 to $17.00 in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of MDU Resources Group in a research report on Friday, January 3rd. They issued a "hold" rating on the stock. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $21.00.

MDU Resources Group Stock Performance

Shares of MDU stock traded up $0.01 on Friday, hitting $18.09. 2,332,997 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,858,108. The firm's 50 day moving average is $18.66 and its two-hundred day moving average is $23.09. MDU Resources Group, Inc. has a one year low of $14.91 and a one year high of $30.52. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.69 billion, a PE ratio of 9.28, a P/E/G ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 0.81. The company has a current ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73.

MDU Resources Group (NYSE:MDU - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 7th. The utilities provider reported $0.32 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.31 by $0.01. MDU Resources Group had a net margin of 8.92% and a return on equity of 11.24%. The firm had revenue of $1.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $969.17 million. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.29 earnings per share. The company's quarterly revenue was up 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that MDU Resources Group, Inc. will post 1.09 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

MDU Resources Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 1st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 12th were given a $0.13 dividend. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.87%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, December 12th. MDU Resources Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 26.67%.

About MDU Resources Group

MDU Resources Group, Inc engages in the regulated energy delivery, and construction materials and services businesses in the United States. It operates through four segments: Electric, Natural Gas Distribution, Pipeline, and Construction Services. The Electric segment generates, transmits, and distributes electricity for residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming; and operates 3,400 miles of transmission lines, 4,800 miles of distribution lines, and 82 transmission and 298 distribution substations.