Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL) Shares Sold by Allworth Financial LP

Allworth Financial LP lessened its position in Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL - Free Report) by 14.3% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 247,560 shares of the company's stock after selling 41,296 shares during the quarter. Allworth Financial LP's holdings in Xcel Energy were worth $16,582,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of XEL. Hodges Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in Xcel Energy by 447.1% in the fourth quarter. Hodges Capital Management Inc. now owns 51,396 shares of the company's stock worth $3,470,000 after acquiring an additional 42,001 shares during the period. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Xcel Energy by 7.0% in the 3rd quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 189,954 shares of the company's stock worth $12,404,000 after purchasing an additional 12,477 shares during the period. Atomi Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Xcel Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $278,000. ING Groep NV increased its holdings in Xcel Energy by 85.0% during the third quarter. ING Groep NV now owns 231,482 shares of the company's stock valued at $15,116,000 after buying an additional 106,326 shares during the period. Finally, GEN Financial Management INC. bought a new position in Xcel Energy in the fourth quarter worth approximately $301,000. 78.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on XEL. KeyCorp lifted their price target on Xcel Energy from $74.00 to $79.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, December 4th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target 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. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Xcel Energy from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $69.00 to $80.00 in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Barclays decreased their price objective on Xcel Energy from $71.00 to $69.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised Xcel Energy from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and upped their target price for the company from $71.00 to $76.00 in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Xcel Energy presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $69.91.

Xcel Energy Stock Performance

NASDAQ:XEL traded up $0.53 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $69.07. 2,425,109 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,478,589. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42. The firm has a market capitalization of $39.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.08, a P/E/G ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 0.43. Xcel Energy Inc. has a 1-year low of $46.79 and a 1-year high of $73.38. The company has a 50-day moving average of $67.03 and a 200 day moving average of $65.49.

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

Xcel Energy Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 29th. Investors of record on Monday, January 6th were given a dividend of $0.5475 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, January 6th. This represents a $2.19 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.17%. Xcel Energy's dividend payout ratio is currently 63.66%.

About Xcel Energy

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.