Empower Advisory Group LLC Acquires 12,218 Shares of NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:NWE)

Empower Advisory Group LLC increased its position in NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:NWE - Free Report) by 4.5% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 281,629 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 12,218 shares during the period. Empower Advisory Group LLC owned approximately 0.46% of NorthWestern Energy Group worth $15,056,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Meritage Portfolio Management raised its holdings in NorthWestern Energy Group by 1,218.2% in the third quarter. Meritage Portfolio Management now owns 60,954 shares of the company's stock worth $3,488,000 after buying an additional 56,330 shares during the last quarter. XTX Topco Ltd purchased a new position in NorthWestern Energy Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $631,000. Systematic Financial Management LP raised its holdings in NorthWestern Energy Group by 11.8% in the 3rd quarter. Systematic Financial Management LP now owns 1,070,434 shares of the company's stock worth $61,250,000 after acquiring an additional 113,265 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. bought a new position in NorthWestern Energy Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $401,000. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in NorthWestern Energy Group by 5,622.1% during the 3rd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 9,842 shares of the company's stock valued at $563,000 after purchasing an additional 9,670 shares during the last quarter. 96.07% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on NWE shares. Guggenheim upgraded NorthWestern Energy Group from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, January 23rd. Barclays reduced their price objective on NorthWestern Energy Group from $57.00 to $56.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded 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 note on Wednesday, January 15th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, NorthWestern Energy Group presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $59.25.

NorthWestern Energy Group Stock Performance

Shares of NWE traded up $0.39 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $53.92. The stock had a trading volume of 374,828 shares, compared to its average volume of 380,801. NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $47.22 and a 12 month high of $57.49. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $53.11 and a 200 day moving average price of $54.11. 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 capitalization of $3.31 billion, a PE ratio of 14.77, a PEG ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.48.

NorthWestern Energy Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 14th will be given a dividend of $0.66 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th. This represents a $2.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.90%. This is a positive change from NorthWestern Energy Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.65. NorthWestern Energy Group's dividend payout ratio is presently 71.23%.

Insider Transactions at NorthWestern Energy Group

In related news, Director Britt E. Ide sold 700 shares of NorthWestern Energy Group stock in a transaction on Monday, December 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $53.57, for a total transaction of $37,499.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 10,888 shares in the company, valued at approximately $583,270.16. The trade was a 6.04 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Anthony Thomas Clark sold 7,400 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.95, for a total value of $384,430.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 16,816 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $873,591.20. The trade was a 30.56 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.94% of the company's stock.

NorthWestern Energy Group Profile

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.