Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL) Shares Purchased by Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC

Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC lifted its position in Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL - Free Report) by 143.0% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 20,565 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 12,102 shares during the quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC's holdings in Xcel Energy were worth $1,389,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Sierra Ocean LLC acquired a new position in Xcel Energy in the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Fairway Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Xcel Energy in the fourth quarter valued at about $27,000. Crews Bank & Trust acquired a new position in Xcel Energy in the fourth quarter valued at about $34,000. MCF Advisors LLC lifted its position in Xcel Energy by 566.3% in the fourth quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 593 shares of the company's stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 504 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Financial Corp IN acquired a new position in Xcel Energy in the fourth quarter valued at about $46,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.38% of the company's stock.

Xcel Energy Stock Up 1.6 %

Xcel Energy stock traded up $1.08 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $69.75. The company had a trading volume of 4,170,726 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,700,123. The stock has a market cap of $40.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.28, a PEG ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.37. Xcel Energy Inc. has a 1 year low of $51.37 and a 1 year high of $73.38. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42. The business has a fifty day moving average of $67.75 and a 200 day moving average of $66.75.

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Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $0.81 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.87 by ($0.06). Xcel Energy had a net margin of 14.40% and a return on equity of 10.65%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Xcel Energy Inc. will post 3.82 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Xcel Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, April 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 14th will be paid a $0.57 dividend. This is a positive change from Xcel Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.55. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.27%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 14th. Xcel Energy's dividend payout ratio is currently 66.28%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have commented on XEL. KeyCorp upped their target price on shares of Xcel Energy from $74.00 to $79.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 4th. Barclays decreased their target price on shares of Xcel Energy from $71.00 to $69.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Xcel Energy from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and increased their price target for the stock from $69.00 to $80.00 in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Xcel Energy from $72.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of Xcel Energy from $74.00 to $72.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 22nd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $71.10.

Insider Buying and Selling at Xcel Energy

In other Xcel Energy news, Director Devin W. Stockfish bought 2,170 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 11th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $68.93 per share, for a total transaction of $149,578.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 3,007 shares in the company, valued at approximately $207,272.51. The trade was a 259.26 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

About Xcel Energy

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.