MDU Resources Group (NYSE:MDU) Shares Gap Down - Time to Sell?

Shares of MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE:MDU - Get Free Report) gapped down before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $30.28, but opened at $29.56. MDU Resources Group shares last traded at $29.92, with a volume of 195,840 shares.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MDU has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Bank of America reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and issued a $31.00 target price (up from $30.00) on shares of MDU Resources Group in a research report on Monday. StockNews.com assumed coverage on MDU Resources Group in a report on Sunday. They set a "hold" rating on the stock.

MDU Resources Group Trading Down 3.5 %

The business's 50-day moving average price is $26.50 and its 200-day moving average price is $25.63. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.96 billion, a PE ratio of 12.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.66 and a beta of 0.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 1.22 and a quick ratio of 1.15.

MDU Resources Group (NYSE:MDU - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 8th. The utilities provider reported $0.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.21 by $0.11. MDU Resources Group had a net margin of 9.25% and a return on equity of 11.29%. The company had revenue of $1.05 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.06 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.29 EPS. MDU Resources Group's revenue for the quarter was down 4.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that MDU Resources Group, Inc. will post 1.58 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

MDU Resources Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, October 1st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 12th were given a dividend of $0.13 per share. This represents a $0.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.78%. This is a boost from MDU Resources Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.13. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 12th. MDU Resources Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.22%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of MDU. V Square Quantitative Management LLC acquired a new stake in MDU Resources Group in the third quarter valued at about $25,000. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of MDU Resources Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its holdings in shares of MDU Resources Group by 23.9% in the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 2,142 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $54,000 after buying an additional 413 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its stake in shares of MDU Resources Group by 238.1% in the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 2,935 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $74,000 after buying an additional 2,067 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. acquired a new position in MDU Resources Group during the second quarter worth $163,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.44% of the company's stock.

MDU Resources Group Company Profile

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.