Short Interest in Northwest Natural Holding (NYSE:NWN) Increases By 14.9%

Northwest Natural Holding (NYSE:NWN - Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest in January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 893,700 shares, a growth of 14.9% from the January 15th total of 777,800 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 215,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.2 days.

Northwest Natural Trading Down 0.8 %

Shares of NWN traded down $0.35 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $40.99. The stock had a trading volume of 162,356 shares, compared to its average volume of 191,980. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a current ratio of 0.72. The firm has a market cap of $1.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.34 and a beta of 0.62. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $40.03 and its 200 day simple moving average is $40.22. Northwest Natural has a 12-month low of $34.82 and a 12-month high of $44.25.

Northwest Natural Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 14th. Investors of record on Friday, January 31st were given a $0.49 dividend. This represents a $1.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.78%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 31st. Northwest Natural's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 92.45%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Stifel Nicolaus reduced their target price on Northwest Natural from $45.00 to $44.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 14th.

Insider Transactions at Northwest Natural

In related news, CEO David Hugo Anderson sold 7,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.33, for a total value of $309,975.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 137,742 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $5,692,876.86. This represents a 5.16 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.84% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Northwest Natural by 4.5% in the 4th quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC now owns 6,079 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $240,000 after buying an additional 263 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement System raised its position in Northwest Natural by 2.5% in the fourth quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 11,223 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $444,000 after purchasing an additional 273 shares during the period. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. raised its position in Northwest Natural by 2.3% in the third quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. now owns 13,978 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $571,000 after purchasing an additional 309 shares during the period. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC raised its position in Northwest Natural by 13.5% in the fourth quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 2,906 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $115,000 after purchasing an additional 345 shares during the period. Finally, Guardian Wealth Management Inc. raised its position in Northwest Natural by 3.2% in the third quarter. Guardian Wealth Management Inc. now owns 12,401 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $506,000 after purchasing an additional 389 shares during the period. 75.13% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Northwest Natural Company Profile

Northwest Natural Holding Company, through its subsidiary, Northwest Natural Gas Company, provides regulated natural gas distribution services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in the United States. The company operates a mist gas storage facility contracted to other utilities, third-party marketers, and electric generators; offers natural gas asset management services; and operates an appliance retail center.