New York State Common Retirement Fund Has $1.41 Million Stock Holdings in MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE:MDU)

New York State Common Retirement Fund lessened its holdings in shares of MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE:MDU - Free Report) by 45.3% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 78,119 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 64,733 shares during the quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund's holdings in MDU Resources Group were worth $1,408,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Principal Securities Inc. raised its holdings in MDU Resources Group by 164.4% during the fourth quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 1,470 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 914 shares in the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of MDU Resources Group by 158.9% in the 3rd quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,196 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 734 shares in the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of MDU Resources Group by 99.6% in the fourth quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 1,834 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 915 shares during the period. Crews Bank & Trust bought a new position in MDU Resources Group during the fourth quarter valued at about $39,000. Finally, Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new position in MDU Resources Group during the third quarter worth about $40,000. Institutional investors own 71.44% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on MDU shares. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on MDU Resources Group in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. They issued a "hold" rating and a $18.00 price objective on the stock. StockNews.com lowered shares of MDU Resources Group from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 20th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, MDU Resources Group presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $21.00.

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MDU Resources Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE MDU traded down $0.39 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $16.58. 296,321 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,931,467. The company's 50-day moving average price is $17.54 and its 200-day moving average price is $21.41. MDU Resources Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $14.91 and a 1-year high of $30.52. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.03, a PEG ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 1.15 and a quick ratio of 1.07.

MDU Resources Group (NYSE:MDU - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The utilities provider reported $0.34 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.31 by $0.03. MDU Resources Group had a return on equity of 10.20% and a net margin of 7.31%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that MDU Resources Group, Inc. will post 0.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

MDU Resources Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 13th will be given a $0.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 13th. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.14%. MDU Resources Group's dividend payout ratio is 37.68%.

Insider Transactions at MDU Resources Group

In other news, Director Dennis W. Johnson acquired 30,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 10th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $16.64 per share, for a total transaction of $499,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 180,166 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,997,962.24. This trade represents a 19.98 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.00% of the company's stock.

About MDU Resources Group

MDU Resources Group, Inc engages in the regulated energy delivery, and construction materials and services businesses in the United States. It operates through four segments: Electric, Natural Gas Distribution, Pipeline, and Construction Services. The Electric segment generates, transmits, and distributes electricity for residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming; and operates 3,400 miles of transmission lines, 4,800 miles of distribution lines, and 82 transmission and 298 distribution substations.