Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES) Shares Sold by Russell Investments Group Ltd.

Russell Investments Group Ltd. lessened its holdings in Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES - Free Report) by 9.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 778,897 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 85,778 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. owned about 0.21% of Eversource Energy worth $44,730,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in ES. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its holdings in Eversource Energy by 38.6% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 16,470,356 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $945,893,000 after purchasing an additional 4,585,232 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Eversource Energy in the fourth quarter worth $188,838,000. Amundi boosted its position in shares of Eversource Energy by 32.2% during the fourth quarter. Amundi now owns 6,482,546 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $367,691,000 after acquiring an additional 1,579,818 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in Eversource Energy by 3.2% during the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 44,609,716 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $2,561,936,000 after acquiring an additional 1,387,072 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Magellan Asset Management Ltd lifted its stake in Eversource Energy by 15.9% in the 4th quarter. Magellan Asset Management Ltd now owns 6,474,477 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $371,829,000 after purchasing an additional 890,514 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.99% of the company's stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other Eversource Energy news, VP Jay S. Buth sold 980 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.99, for a total transaction of $61,730.20. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 24,374 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,535,318.26. This trade represents a 3.87 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Frederica M. Williams sold 3,092 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.26, for a total transaction of $192,507.92. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 22,671 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,411,496.46. This represents a 12.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.41% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Eversource Energy Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:ES traded up $0.58 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $56.27. The company's stock had a trading volume of 2,615,044 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,324,397. The firm has a market capitalization of $20.66 billion, a PE ratio of 24.36, a P/E/G ratio of 2.35 and a beta of 0.58. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $60.41 and a 200 day moving average of $60.84. Eversource Energy has a twelve month low of $52.28 and a twelve month high of $69.01. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71.

Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 11th. The utilities provider reported $1.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.00 by $0.01. Eversource Energy had a return on equity of 10.99% and a net margin of 6.82%. On average, equities analysts expect that Eversource Energy will post 4.75 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Eversource Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 4th were paid a $0.7525 dividend. This is a boost from Eversource Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.72. This represents a $3.01 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.35%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 4th. Eversource Energy's payout ratio is currently 130.30%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed an "underweight" rating and set a $58.00 price target (down previously from $69.00) on shares of Eversource Energy in a research note on Thursday. Guggenheim reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Eversource Energy in a report on Monday, February 10th. Scotiabank reduced their price objective on Eversource Energy from $56.00 to $55.00 and set a "sector underperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. StockNews.com lowered Eversource Energy from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Sunday, April 6th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on Eversource Energy from $52.00 to $47.00 and set an "underperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 28th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Eversource Energy has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $65.78.

Eversource Energy Profile

Eversource Energy, a public utility holding company, engages in the energy delivery business. The company operates through Electric Distribution, Electric Transmission, Natural Gas Distribution, and Water Distribution segments. It is involved in the transmission and distribution of electricity; solar power facilities; and distribution of natural gas.