Raymond James Financial Inc. Takes $29.98 Million Position in NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:NWE)

Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:NWE - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 560,771 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $29,978,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. owned about 0.91% of NorthWestern Energy Group as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Martingale Asset Management L P raised its stake in NorthWestern Energy Group by 5.4% in the fourth quarter. Martingale Asset Management L P now owns 48,971 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,618,000 after buying an additional 2,530 shares in the last quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC lifted its stake in NorthWestern Energy Group by 39.2% during the fourth quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 6,231 shares of the company's stock worth $333,000 after purchasing an additional 1,756 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new position in NorthWestern Energy Group in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $445,000. Invesco Ltd. increased its stake in NorthWestern Energy Group by 9.9% in the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 904,579 shares of the company's stock valued at $48,359,000 after purchasing an additional 81,852 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cerity Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of NorthWestern Energy Group by 36.0% in the 4th quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 10,435 shares of the company's stock valued at $564,000 after buying an additional 2,763 shares in the last quarter. 96.07% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at NorthWestern Energy Group

In other news, Director Britt E. Ide sold 702 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 owns 11,021 shares in the company, valued at $598,660.72. This trade represents a 5.99 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.94% of the company's stock.

NorthWestern Energy Group Stock Performance

Shares of NWE stock 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. NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $48.52 and a fifty-two week high of $59.52. 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 company's 50-day simple moving average is $55.63 and its 200-day simple moving average is $54.55. The firm has a market cap of $3.56 billion, a PE ratio of 15.91, a PEG ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.33.

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 $0.66 dividend. This represents a $2.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.55%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 14th. This is a positive change from NorthWestern Energy Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.65. NorthWestern Energy Group's payout ratio is currently 72.33%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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

NorthWestern Energy Group Company 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.