LPL Financial LLC Raises Holdings in NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:NWE)

LPL Financial LLC grew its position in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:NWE - Free Report) by 18.9% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 27,670 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 4,389 shares during the quarter. LPL Financial LLC's holdings in NorthWestern Energy Group were worth $1,479,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group in the 4th quarter worth about $29,978,000. River Road Asset Management LLC boosted its position in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group by 6.1% during the fourth quarter. River Road Asset Management LLC now owns 2,371,931 shares of the company's stock valued at $126,803,000 after buying an additional 136,922 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its holdings in NorthWestern Energy Group by 18.1% during the fourth quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 886,066 shares of the company's stock worth $47,369,000 after buying an additional 135,611 shares in the last quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans raised its position in NorthWestern Energy Group by 20.7% in the 4th quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 443,148 shares of the company's stock valued at $23,690,000 after buying an additional 76,114 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Barclays PLC lifted its stake in NorthWestern Energy Group by 204.7% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 110,571 shares of the company's stock valued at $6,327,000 after acquiring an additional 74,278 shares in the last quarter. 96.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently commented on NWE. Guggenheim upgraded shares of NorthWestern Energy Group from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH raised shares of NorthWestern Energy Group from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $57.50 target price on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 15th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on NorthWestern Energy Group from $60.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, April 14th. Finally, Barclays dropped their price target on NorthWestern Energy Group from $57.00 to $56.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 19th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $59.42.

Insider Transactions at NorthWestern Energy Group

In related news, Director Britt E. Ide sold 702 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.32, for a total value of $38,132.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 11,021 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $598,660.72. This trade represents a 5.99 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.94% of the company's stock.

NorthWestern Energy Group Stock Performance

Shares of NWE traded down $0.71 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $58.06. The stock had a trading volume of 652,250 shares, compared to its average volume of 379,791. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 0.52 and a quick ratio of 0.37. The firm has a market cap of $3.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.91, a PEG ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.33. NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $48.52 and a 52 week high of $59.52. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $55.63 and a 200-day moving average price of $54.55.

NorthWestern Energy Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 14th were issued a dividend of $0.66 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 14th. This is an increase from NorthWestern Energy Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.65. This represents a $2.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.55%. NorthWestern Energy Group's dividend payout ratio is 72.33%.

About NorthWestern Energy Group

NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc provides electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and various industrial customers. It generates, purchases, transmits, and distributes electricity; and produces, purchases, stores, transmits, and distributes natural gas, as well as owns municipal franchises to provide natural gas service in the communities.