MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE:MDU) Shares Sold by Alliancebernstein L.P.

Alliancebernstein L.P. reduced its position in shares of MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE:MDU - Free Report) by 78.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 64,707 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 232,246 shares during the period. Alliancebernstein L.P.'s holdings in MDU Resources Group were worth $1,166,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Principal Securities Inc. grew its holdings in MDU Resources Group by 164.4% during the 4th quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 1,470 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 914 shares during the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of MDU Resources Group by 99.6% during the fourth quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 1,834 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 915 shares during the last quarter. Crews Bank & Trust purchased a new stake in MDU Resources Group during the 4th quarter worth about $39,000. Blue Trust Inc. raised its stake in MDU Resources Group by 19.4% in the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 3,505 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $63,000 after purchasing an additional 570 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Lee Danner & Bass Inc. purchased a new position in MDU Resources Group in the 4th quarter valued at about $77,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.44% of the company's stock.

MDU Resources Group Trading Up 0.6 %

MDU stock traded up $0.10 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $16.92. 93,823 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,491,714. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $16.69 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $19.07. The company has a market capitalization of $3.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.25, a PEG ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 1.15 and a quick ratio of 1.07. MDU Resources Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $13.23 and a fifty-two week high of $20.39.

MDU Resources Group (NYSE:MDU - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The utilities provider reported $0.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.31 by $0.03. MDU Resources Group had a return on equity of 10.20% and a net margin of 7.31%. Equities research analysts forecast that MDU Resources Group, Inc. will post 0.94 EPS for the current fiscal year.

MDU Resources Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 13th were issued a dividend of $0.13 per share. This represents a $0.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.07%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 13th. MDU Resources Group's dividend payout ratio is presently 37.68%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MDU has been the subject of several analyst reports. StockNews.com downgraded MDU Resources Group from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Thursday, February 20th. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on MDU Resources Group in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. They issued a "hold" rating and a $18.00 price target on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $21.00.

Insider Transactions at MDU Resources Group

In other MDU Resources Group news, Director Dennis W. Johnson purchased 30,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 10th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $16.64 per share, with a total value of $499,200.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 180,166 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,997,962.24. This represents a 19.98 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 0.94% of the company's stock.

MDU Resources Group Company Profile

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.