Aware Super Pty Ltd as trustee of Aware Super Acquires New Holdings in Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL)

Aware Super Pty Ltd as trustee of Aware Super acquired a new stake in Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 565,951 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $38,213,000. Xcel Energy makes up 0.6% of Aware Super Pty Ltd as trustee of Aware Super's portfolio, making the stock its 27th biggest position. Aware Super Pty Ltd as trustee of Aware Super owned about 0.10% of Xcel Energy at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in XEL. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Xcel Energy by 1.3% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 73,831,988 shares of the company's stock worth $4,985,136,000 after purchasing an additional 953,002 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Xcel Energy by 5.6% during the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 19,291,149 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,302,538,000 after acquiring an additional 1,022,194 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its position in Xcel Energy by 15.9% during the 4th quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 17,613,239 shares of the company's stock worth $1,189,246,000 after purchasing an additional 2,422,483 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in Xcel Energy by 4.2% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 15,178,956 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,029,223,000 after purchasing an additional 616,853 shares during the period. Finally, FMR LLC lifted its stake in shares of Xcel Energy by 118.3% during the fourth quarter. FMR LLC now owns 6,608,044 shares of the company's stock worth $446,175,000 after purchasing an additional 3,581,436 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.38% of the company's stock.

Xcel Energy Stock Performance

Xcel Energy stock traded up $1.03 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $70.13. 2,784,548 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,587,282. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42. Xcel Energy Inc. has a one year low of $51.97 and a one year high of $73.38. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $69.32 and a 200 day moving average price of $67.76. The company has a market cap of $40.40 billion, a PE ratio of 20.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.39.

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $0.81 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.87 by ($0.06). Xcel Energy had a return on equity of 10.65% and a net margin of 14.40%. On average, equities analysts forecast that Xcel Energy Inc. will post 3.82 EPS for the current year.

Xcel Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, April 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 14th will be issued a $0.57 dividend. This is a positive change from Xcel Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.55. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 14th. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.25%. Xcel Energy's dividend payout ratio is 66.28%.

Insider Activity at Xcel Energy

In related news, Director Devin W. Stockfish bought 2,170 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was bought at an average price of $68.93 per share, for a total transaction of $149,578.10. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 3,007 shares in the company, valued at $207,272.51. This represents a 259.26 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 0.09% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of Xcel Energy from $72.00 to $75.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Barclays raised their price objective on Xcel Energy from $69.00 to $72.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, March 31st. UBS Group increased their target price on Xcel Energy from $73.00 to $77.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 1st. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Xcel Energy from $75.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Thursday, March 20th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $73.00.

Xcel Energy Company Profile

Xcel Energy Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, purchasing, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity. It operates through Regulated Electric Utility, Regulated Natural Gas Utility, and All Other segments. The company generates electricity through wind, nuclear, hydroelectric, biomass, and solar energy sources, as well as coal, natural gas, oil, wood, and refuse-derived fuels.