NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:NWE) Shares Bought by Advisors Asset Management Inc.

Advisors Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:NWE - Free Report) by 40.8% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 118,043 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 34,221 shares during the period. Advisors Asset Management Inc. owned approximately 0.19% of NorthWestern Energy Group worth $6,311,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group in the fourth quarter worth about $29,978,000. River Road Asset Management LLC boosted its position in NorthWestern Energy Group by 6.1% in the 4th quarter. River Road Asset Management LLC now owns 2,371,931 shares of the company's stock worth $126,803,000 after purchasing an additional 136,922 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its position in NorthWestern Energy Group by 18.1% in the 4th quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 886,066 shares of the company's stock worth $47,369,000 after purchasing an additional 135,611 shares in the last quarter. Systematic Financial Management LP grew its stake in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group by 11.8% during the 3rd quarter. Systematic Financial Management LP now owns 1,070,434 shares of the company's stock worth $61,250,000 after purchasing an additional 113,265 shares during the period. Finally, FMR LLC increased its holdings in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group by 17.0% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 759,804 shares of the company's stock valued at $43,476,000 after purchasing an additional 110,461 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.07% of the company's stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, Director Britt E. Ide sold 702 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the director now directly owns 11,021 shares in the company, valued at $598,660.72. This represents a 5.99 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Company insiders own 0.57% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

NWE has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Barclays lowered their price target 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. Guggenheim raised shares of NorthWestern Energy Group from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, January 23rd. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded NorthWestern Energy Group from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $57.50 price target for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 15th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $59.25.

NorthWestern Energy Group Price Performance

Shares of NWE traded down $0.86 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $55.32. 2,667,240 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 341,414. The stock has a market cap of $3.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.45. NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $47.48 and a 1-year high of $57.49. The company has a 50 day moving average of $54.39 and a 200-day moving average of $54.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 0.37 and a current ratio of 0.52.

NorthWestern Energy Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 14th will be given a $0.66 dividend. This represents a $2.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.77%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th. This is an increase from NorthWestern Energy Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.65. NorthWestern Energy Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 72.33%.

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.