Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL) Shares Bought by Sanctuary Advisors LLC

Sanctuary Advisors LLC grew its stake in Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL - Free Report) by 28.7% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 82,826 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 18,489 shares during the period. Sanctuary Advisors LLC's holdings in Xcel Energy were worth $5,910,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in Xcel Energy during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. American National Bank acquired a new position in Xcel Energy during the 2nd quarter worth $32,000. Transcendent Capital Group LLC acquired a new stake in Xcel Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at about $33,000. Kimelman & Baird LLC purchased a new position in shares of Xcel Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, Rothschild Investment LLC acquired a new position in shares of Xcel Energy during the second quarter worth about $37,000. 78.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Xcel Energy Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ XEL traded down $0.46 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $67.66. 4,244,151 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,093,653. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $67.27 and a 200 day simple moving average of $61.45. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42. The stock has a market cap of $38.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.21, a PEG ratio of 2.80 and a beta of 0.41. Xcel Energy Inc. has a 1 year low of $46.79 and a 1 year high of $73.38.

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 31st. The company reported $1.25 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.26 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $3.64 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.93 billion. Xcel Energy had a return on equity of 10.76% and a net margin of 13.67%. Xcel Energy's revenue for the quarter was down .5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.23 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Xcel Energy Inc. will post 3.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Argus upgraded shares of Xcel Energy from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $68.00 price target for the company in a research note on Monday, August 26th. UBS Group increased their target price on Xcel Energy from $66.00 to $67.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, September 20th. KeyCorp lifted their price target on Xcel Energy from $74.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, December 4th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Xcel Energy from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and increased their price objective for the company from $71.00 to $76.00 in a report on Friday, November 1st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Xcel Energy from $63.00 to $66.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Xcel Energy presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $68.62.

Xcel Energy Profile

Xcel Energy Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, purchasing, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity. It operates through Regulated Electric Utility, Regulated Natural Gas Utility, and All Other segments. The company generates electricity through wind, nuclear, hydroelectric, biomass, and solar energy sources, as well as coal, natural gas, oil, wood, and refuse-derived fuels.