Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL) Stock Holdings Increased by Tower Research Capital LLC TRC

Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its stake in shares of Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL - Free Report) by 106.5% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 56,769 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 29,281 shares during the period. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC's holdings in Xcel Energy were worth $3,833,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in XEL. Hodges Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Xcel Energy by 447.1% during the 4th quarter. Hodges Capital Management Inc. now owns 51,396 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,470,000 after acquiring an additional 42,001 shares in the last quarter. Atomi Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Xcel Energy during the fourth quarter valued at $278,000. GEN Financial Management INC. acquired a new stake in Xcel Energy during the fourth quarter valued at $301,000. Oak Thistle LLC purchased a new position in Xcel Energy in the fourth quarter valued at about $1,433,000. Finally, Jones Financial Companies Lllp increased its position in Xcel Energy by 35.8% in the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 14,825 shares of the company's stock worth $1,001,000 after purchasing an additional 3,905 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.38% of the company's stock.

Xcel Energy Price Performance

NASDAQ XEL opened at $70.13 on Monday. Xcel Energy Inc. has a 1 year low of $51.97 and a 1 year high of $73.38. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $69.38 and a 200 day simple moving average of $67.84. 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 company has a market cap of $40.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.39, a P/E/G ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.39.

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $0.81 earnings per share (EPS) 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%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Xcel Energy Inc. will post 3.82 EPS for the current year.

Xcel Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, April 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 14th were given a $0.57 dividend. This is an increase from Xcel Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.55. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.25%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 14th. Xcel Energy's payout ratio is currently 66.28%.

Insider Transactions at Xcel Energy

In related news, Director Devin W. Stockfish acquired 2,170 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 11th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $68.93 per share, for a total transaction of $149,578.10. Following the completion of the purchase, 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 document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.09% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

XEL has been the subject of several research reports. Barclays lifted their price target on Xcel Energy from $69.00 to $72.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, March 31st. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Xcel Energy from $73.00 to $77.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 1st. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price 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 raised their price target on shares of Xcel Energy from $75.00 to $78.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Thursday, March 20th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $73.00.

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.

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