Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:NXST) Given Consensus Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Analysts

Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:NXST - Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" by the seven brokerages that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $204.29.

A number of analysts have issued reports on the stock. Loop Capital downgraded shares of Nexstar Media Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and reduced their price target for the company from $200.00 to $190.00 in a report on Friday, November 8th. Benchmark reaffirmed a "buy" rating and issued a $215.00 target price on shares of Nexstar Media Group in a report on Friday, November 8th. StockNews.com raised Nexstar Media Group from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, November 8th. Barrington Research restated an "outperform" rating and set a $200.00 price target on shares of Nexstar Media Group in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Finally, Guggenheim reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Nexstar Media Group in a report on Wednesday, January 22nd.

Insider Activity at Nexstar Media Group

In related news, CFO Lee Ann Gliha sold 330 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $158.23, for a total transaction of $52,215.90. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 8,610 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,362,360.30. This represents a 3.69 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Perry A. Sook sold 35,205 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $162.13, for a total transaction of $5,707,786.65. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 674,694 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $109,388,138.22. The trade was a 4.96 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 134,209 shares of company stock worth $21,499,239. Company insiders own 6.30% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Nexstar Media Group

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. CWM LLC lifted its position in shares of Nexstar Media Group by 231.2% during the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 3,902 shares of the company's stock worth $645,000 after purchasing an additional 2,724 shares during the last quarter. CX Institutional increased its stake in Nexstar Media Group by 5.0% in the 3rd quarter. CX Institutional now owns 1,396 shares of the company's stock worth $231,000 after buying an additional 67 shares during the period. Creative Planning lifted its holdings in Nexstar Media Group by 43.8% during the 3rd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 6,925 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,145,000 after buying an additional 2,108 shares in the last quarter. nVerses Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Nexstar Media Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $231,000. Finally, OmniStar Financial Group Inc. grew its stake in Nexstar Media Group by 10.4% in the 3rd quarter. OmniStar Financial Group Inc. now owns 4,083 shares of the company's stock worth $676,000 after acquiring an additional 385 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.30% of the company's stock.

Nexstar Media Group Price Performance

NXST traded up $0.16 during trading on Friday, reaching $153.50. 45,221 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 271,537. The company has a market cap of $4.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.87, a PEG ratio of 0.44 and a beta of 1.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.98, a quick ratio of 1.68 and a current ratio of 1.68. Nexstar Media Group has a 12-month low of $147.25 and a 12-month high of $191.86. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $156.71 and a 200 day simple moving average of $164.11.

Nexstar Media Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 26th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 12th will be issued a $1.86 dividend. This is a boost from Nexstar Media Group's previous quarterly dividend of $1.69. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 12th. This represents a $7.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.85%. Nexstar Media Group's payout ratio is 39.10%.

Nexstar Media Group Company Profile

Nexstar Media Group, Inc operates as a diversified media company that produces and distributes engaging local and national news, sports and entertainment content across the television and digital platforms in the United States. It owns, operates, programs, or provides sales and other services to various markets; and offers television programming services.