MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE:MDU) Shares Acquired by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its stake in MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE:MDU - Free Report) by 8.1% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 7,491,990 shares of the utilities provider's stock after purchasing an additional 563,424 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned approximately 3.67% of MDU Resources Group worth $188,049,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of MDU Resources Group in the 4th quarter worth $38,971,000. American Century Companies Inc. increased its position in MDU Resources Group by 30.7% during the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 4,158,224 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $104,371,000 after purchasing an additional 977,487 shares during the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its stake in MDU Resources Group by 132.1% during the second quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 812,139 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $20,385,000 after purchasing an additional 462,278 shares during the period. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. acquired a new position in MDU Resources Group in the 2nd quarter valued at about $11,105,000. Finally, Bornite Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of MDU Resources Group in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $8,820,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.44% of the company's stock.

MDU Resources Group Trading Up 2.5 %

Shares of NYSE:MDU traded up $0.66 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $27.28. 2,296,868 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,192,955. The stock has a market cap of $5.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.38, a P/E/G ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.77. MDU Resources Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $18.04 and a fifty-two week high of $27.78. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $25.60 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $24.88. 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 released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The utilities provider reported $0.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.21 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $1.05 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.06 billion. MDU Resources Group had a net margin of 9.25% and a return on equity of 11.29%. The business's revenue was down 4.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.29 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that MDU Resources Group, Inc. will post 1.55 EPS for the current fiscal year.

MDU Resources Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 1st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, September 12th will be given a dividend of $0.13 per share. This is a positive change from MDU Resources Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.13. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.91%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 12th. MDU Resources Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 22.22%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com cut MDU Resources Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, July 26th.

MDU Resources Group 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.