Northwest Natural Holding (NYSE:NWN) Shares Purchased by Janney Montgomery Scott LLC

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC boosted its holdings in Northwest Natural Holding (NYSE:NWN - Free Report) by 27.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 75,902 shares of the utilities provider's stock after buying an additional 16,139 shares during the period. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC owned approximately 0.20% of Northwest Natural worth $3,098,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of NWN. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Northwest Natural during the first quarter worth about $48,000. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp grew its position in Northwest Natural by 1.3% in the first quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 32,188 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $1,198,000 after acquiring an additional 417 shares in the last quarter. Swiss National Bank raised its stake in shares of Northwest Natural by 2.1% during the first quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 72,600 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $2,702,000 after purchasing an additional 1,500 shares during the period. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of Northwest Natural during the first quarter worth $1,777,000. Finally, US Bancorp DE boosted its stake in shares of Northwest Natural by 19.3% in the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 39,269 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $1,462,000 after purchasing an additional 6,359 shares during the period. 75.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Northwest Natural Stock Up 1.3 %

NYSE NWN traded up $0.54 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $41.43. 188,165 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 279,384. The company has a 50 day moving average of $39.90 and a two-hundred day moving average of $38.53. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.60 billion, a PE ratio of 19.01 and a beta of 0.58. Northwest Natural Holding has a 12 month low of $34.82 and a 12 month high of $41.90. The company has a current ratio of 0.97, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17.

Northwest Natural Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, October 31st will be paid a $0.49 dividend. This represents a $1.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.73%. This is an increase from Northwest Natural's previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 31st. Northwest Natural's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 89.91%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have weighed in on NWN. StockNews.com raised shares of Northwest Natural from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, August 5th. Janney Montgomery Scott upgraded Northwest Natural from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and raised their price objective for the company from $36.00 to $43.00 in a research note on Monday, August 5th.

Northwest Natural Company Profile

Northwest Natural Holding Company, through its subsidiary, Northwest Natural Gas Company, provides regulated natural gas distribution services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in the United States. The company operates a mist gas storage facility contracted to other utilities, third-party marketers, and electric generators; offers natural gas asset management services; and operates an appliance retail center.