Axecap Investments LLC Takes Position in NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG)

Axecap Investments LLC bought a new stake in shares of NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 26,038 shares of the utilities provider's stock, valued at approximately $2,349,000. NRG Energy makes up approximately 1.8% of Axecap Investments LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 25th largest position.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in NRG Energy during the 3rd quarter worth about $26,000. Covestor Ltd increased its holdings in NRG Energy by 74.7% in the 3rd quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 325 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 139 shares in the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of NRG Energy during the third quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt purchased a new position in shares of NRG Energy in the third quarter worth about $36,000. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. boosted its stake in NRG Energy by 100.4% during the fourth quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 455 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 228 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 97.72% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have commented on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of NRG Energy from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and upped their target price for the company from $93.00 to $113.00 in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on NRG Energy from $94.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. Citigroup lifted their price target on NRG Energy from $84.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. Evercore ISI raised NRG Energy from an "in-line" rating to an "outperform" rating and boosted their target price for the company from $74.00 to $126.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on NRG Energy from $130.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, November 11th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $111.43.

Insider Activity at NRG Energy

In other news, VP Robert J. Gaudette sold 60,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.41, for a total transaction of $5,484,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 64,448 shares of the company's stock, valued at $5,891,191.68. This trade represents a 48.21 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Bruce Chung sold 20,000 shares of NRG Energy stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $97.63, for a total transaction of $1,952,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 69,454 shares in the company, valued at $6,780,794.02. This trade represents a 22.36 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.86% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

NRG Energy Stock Down 0.4 %

NRG traded down $0.39 on Tuesday, hitting $104.79. 2,597,357 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,065,554. The stock's fifty day moving average is $98.70 and its 200-day moving average is $90.66. The company has a market cap of $21.23 billion, a PE ratio of 26.33, a PEG ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 1.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.57, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a current ratio of 1.17. NRG Energy, Inc. has a 12 month low of $51.26 and a 12 month high of $115.38.

NRG Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 18th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 3rd will be paid a dividend of $0.44 per share. This represents a $1.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.68%. This is a positive change from NRG Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.41. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 3rd. NRG Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 44.22%.

About NRG Energy

NRG Energy, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy and home services company in the United States and Canada. It operates through Texas; East; West/Services/Other; Vivint Smart Home; and Corporate Activities segments. The company produces and sells electricity generated using coal, oil, solar, and battery storage; natural gas; and a cloud-based home platform, including hardware, software, sales, installation, customer service, technical support, and professional monitoring solutions.