Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. Invests $262,000 in NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:NWE)

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. acquired a new position in NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:NWE - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 4,900 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $262,000.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Meritage Portfolio Management grew its holdings in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group by 1,218.2% in the third quarter. Meritage Portfolio Management now owns 60,954 shares of the company's stock worth $3,488,000 after purchasing an additional 56,330 shares during the last quarter. XTX Topco Ltd purchased a new stake in NorthWestern Energy Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $631,000. Systematic Financial Management LP grew its stake in NorthWestern Energy Group by 11.8% in the 3rd quarter. Systematic Financial Management LP now owns 1,070,434 shares of the company's stock worth $61,250,000 after acquiring an additional 113,265 shares in the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. purchased a new position in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group during the fourth quarter worth approximately $401,000. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group by 5,622.1% during the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 9,842 shares of the company's stock valued at $563,000 after acquiring an additional 9,670 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.07% of the company's stock.

NorthWestern Energy Group Stock Up 0.1 %

Shares of NYSE:NWE traded up $0.06 on Wednesday, reaching $53.17. The company had a trading volume of 231,120 shares, compared to its average volume of 375,410. The company has a current ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 0.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.26 billion, a PE ratio of 14.57, a PEG ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 0.48. NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $47.22 and a 52-week high of $57.49. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $53.04 and its 200-day simple moving average is $54.12.

NorthWestern Energy Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 14th will be given a dividend of $0.66 per share. This represents a $2.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.96%. This is a positive change from NorthWestern Energy Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.65. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th. NorthWestern Energy Group's dividend payout ratio is presently 71.23%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Britt E. Ide sold 700 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.57, for a total transaction of $37,499.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 10,888 shares in the company, valued at $583,270.16. This represents a 6.04 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. 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 that occurred on Thursday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.95, for a total transaction of $384,430.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 16,816 shares of the company's stock, valued at $873,591.20. This trade represents a 30.56 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.57% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Barclays dropped their price objective on NorthWestern Energy Group from $57.00 to $56.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH raised NorthWestern Energy Group from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $57.50 price target on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 15th. Finally, Guggenheim upgraded NorthWestern Energy Group from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $59.25.

NorthWestern Energy Group 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.