Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES) Stock Rating Lowered by StockNews.com

Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES - Get Free Report) was downgraded by investment analysts at StockNews.com from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report issued on Sunday.

Several other analysts also recently commented on ES. Guggenheim reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Eversource Energy in a research report on Monday, February 10th. Scotiabank reduced their price target on shares of Eversource Energy from $56.00 to $55.00 and set a "sector underperform" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price objective on shares of Eversource Energy from $52.00 to $47.00 and set an "underperform" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 28th. Barclays cut their target price on Eversource Energy from $72.00 to $69.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 22nd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on Eversource Energy from $79.00 to $75.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $66.50.

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Eversource Energy Stock Down 1.2 %

Shares of ES stock traded down $0.68 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $55.63. 3,411,244 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,319,197. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $60.45 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $60.91. Eversource Energy has a 12-month low of $52.28 and a 12-month high of $69.01. The stock has a market cap of $20.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.08, a PEG ratio of 2.35 and a beta of 0.58.

Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 11th. The utilities provider reported $1.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.00 by $0.01. Eversource Energy had a return on equity of 10.99% and a net margin of 6.82%. On average, analysts expect that Eversource Energy will post 4.75 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Frederica M. Williams sold 3,092 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.26, for a total value of $192,507.92. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 22,671 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,411,496.46. This trade represents a 12.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, VP Jay S. Buth sold 980 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.99, for a total value of $61,730.20. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 24,374 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,535,318.26. This trade represents a 3.87 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.41% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Eversource Energy

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ES. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in shares of Eversource Energy by 38.6% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 16,470,356 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $945,893,000 after purchasing an additional 4,585,232 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Eversource Energy during the fourth quarter valued at about $188,838,000. Amundi lifted its position in shares of Eversource Energy by 32.2% in the fourth quarter. Amundi now owns 6,482,546 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $367,691,000 after acquiring an additional 1,579,818 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Eversource Energy by 3.2% in the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 44,609,716 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $2,561,936,000 after acquiring an additional 1,387,072 shares during the period. Finally, Magellan Asset Management Ltd grew its position in shares of Eversource Energy by 15.9% during the fourth quarter. Magellan Asset Management Ltd now owns 6,474,477 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $371,829,000 after purchasing an additional 890,514 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.99% of the company's stock.

About Eversource Energy

Eversource Energy, a public utility holding company, engages in the energy delivery business. The company operates through Electric Distribution, Electric Transmission, Natural Gas Distribution, and Water Distribution segments. It is involved in the transmission and distribution of electricity; solar power facilities; and distribution of natural gas.