Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES) Raised to Hold at StockNews.com

StockNews.com upgraded shares of Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES - Free Report) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report report published on Monday morning.

Other research analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Guggenheim reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Eversource Energy in a research report on Monday, February 10th. Scotiabank lowered their price objective on Eversource Energy from $56.00 to $55.00 and set a "sector underperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated an "underweight" rating and issued a $58.00 price target (down from $69.00) on shares of Eversource Energy in a research report on Thursday, April 10th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price objective on Eversource Energy from $52.00 to $47.00 and set an "underperform" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 28th. Finally, Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of 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. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $65.78.

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Eversource Energy Stock Up 0.3 %

Eversource Energy stock traded up $0.17 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $58.15. The company's stock had a trading volume of 2,099,497 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,325,604. The firm's 50 day moving average is $60.39 and its 200 day moving average is $60.72. Eversource Energy has a 52-week low of $52.28 and a 52-week high of $69.01. The company has a market cap of $21.35 billion, a PE ratio of 25.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.35 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71, a current ratio of 0.76 and a quick ratio of 0.76.

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

Eversource Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 4th were given a dividend of $0.7525 per share. This is a boost from Eversource Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.72. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 4th. This represents a $3.01 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.18%. Eversource Energy's payout ratio is currently 130.30%.

Insider Activity at Eversource Energy

In other Eversource Energy news, VP Jay S. Buth sold 980 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 sale, the vice president now directly owns 24,374 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,535,318.26. This trade represents a 3.87 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Frederica M. Williams sold 3,092 shares of Eversource Energy stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.26, for a total transaction of $192,507.92. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 22,671 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,411,496.46. This represents a 12.00 % 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 company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Eversource Energy

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Eversource Energy in the first quarter valued at about $103,000. Fifth Third Bancorp boosted its holdings in shares of Eversource Energy by 3.4% in the first quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 24,918 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $1,548,000 after buying an additional 821 shares during the period. Simon Quick Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Eversource Energy during the first quarter worth $238,000. Arvest Investments Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Eversource Energy during the first quarter worth $934,000. Finally, McKinley Carter Wealth Services Inc. bought a new stake in Eversource Energy in the 1st quarter valued at $206,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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.