Trexquant Investment LP Has $4.39 Million Holdings in MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE:MDU)

Trexquant Investment LP lifted its stake in MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE:MDU - Free Report) by 809.3% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 243,843 shares of the utilities provider's stock after purchasing an additional 217,026 shares during the quarter. Trexquant Investment LP owned 0.12% of MDU Resources Group worth $4,394,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Blue Trust Inc. grew its holdings in shares of MDU Resources Group by 19.4% during the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 3,505 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $63,000 after buying an additional 570 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of MDU Resources Group by 2.0% in the 3rd quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 32,739 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $896,000 after purchasing an additional 641 shares during the period. Principal Securities Inc. lifted its position in shares of MDU Resources Group by 164.4% in the fourth quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 1,470 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 914 shares in the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of MDU Resources Group by 99.6% during the fourth quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 1,834 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 915 shares during the period. Finally, Stifel Financial Corp grew its position in MDU Resources Group by 1.6% during the third quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 85,306 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $2,338,000 after purchasing an additional 1,353 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.44% of the company's stock.

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MDU Resources Group Stock Down 1.9 %

MDU stock traded down $0.31 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $15.97. The company's stock had a trading volume of 522,934 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,018,390. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $16.77 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $19.75. MDU Resources Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $14.91 and a 12 month high of $30.52. The company has a market capitalization of $3.26 billion, a PE ratio of 11.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a quick ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73.

MDU Resources Group (NYSE:MDU - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The utilities provider reported $0.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.31 by $0.03. MDU Resources Group had a net margin of 7.31% and a return on equity of 10.20%. On average, equities research analysts expect that MDU Resources Group, Inc. will post 0.94 earnings per share for the current year.

MDU Resources Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 13th were paid a $0.13 dividend. This represents a $0.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.26%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 13th. MDU Resources Group's payout ratio is 37.68%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

MDU has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. StockNews.com downgraded shares of MDU Resources Group from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 20th. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on MDU Resources Group in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. They set a "hold" rating and a $18.00 price objective for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, MDU Resources Group currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $21.00.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Dennis W. Johnson bought 30,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 10th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $16.64 per share, for a total transaction of $499,200.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 180,166 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,997,962.24. The trade was a 19.98 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 1.00% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About MDU Resources Group

MDU Resources Group, Inc engages in the regulated energy delivery, and construction materials and services businesses in the United States. It operates through four segments: Electric, Natural Gas Distribution, Pipeline, and Construction Services. The Electric segment generates, transmits, and distributes electricity for residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming; and operates 3,400 miles of transmission lines, 4,800 miles of distribution lines, and 82 transmission and 298 distribution substations.