Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL) Given New $73.00 Price Target at UBS Group

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL - Get Free Report) had its price objective lifted by UBS Group from $70.00 to $73.00 in a report issued on Friday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a "neutral" rating on the stock. UBS Group's target price suggests a potential upside of 5.49% from the stock's current price.

A number of other research analysts have also issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Xcel Energy from $72.00 to $75.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, February 7th. KeyCorp increased their price objective on Xcel Energy from $74.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, December 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Xcel Energy from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and lifted their target price for the company from $69.00 to $80.00 in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Xcel Energy from $75.00 to $78.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Thursday. Finally, Barclays cut their target price on Xcel Energy from $71.00 to $69.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $72.30.

Remove Ads

Xcel Energy Stock Performance

XEL traded up $0.09 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $69.20. 916,011 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,299,028. The stock has a market cap of $39.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.37. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $68.21 and a 200-day simple moving average of $67.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42, a current ratio of 0.93 and a quick ratio of 0.82. Xcel Energy has a 12 month low of $51.58 and a 12 month high of $73.38.

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $0.81 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.87 by ($0.06). Xcel Energy had a net margin of 14.40% and a return on equity of 10.65%. Analysts anticipate that Xcel Energy will post 3.82 earnings per share for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Devin W. Stockfish acquired 2,170 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 11th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $68.93 per share, with a total value of $149,578.10. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 3,007 shares of the company's stock, valued at $207,272.51. This represents a 259.26 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.09% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Xcel Energy

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of XEL. Sierra Ocean LLC bought a new stake in shares of Xcel Energy during the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Fairway Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Xcel Energy during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Crews Bank & Trust bought a new stake in Xcel Energy during the 4th quarter worth about $34,000. MCF Advisors LLC increased its position in Xcel Energy by 566.3% in the 4th quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 593 shares of the company's stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 504 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Financial Corp IN bought a new position in shares of Xcel Energy in the fourth quarter worth about $46,000. 78.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Xcel Energy Company 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.