NorthWestern Energy Group (NYSE:NWE) Issues Earnings Results, Misses Expectations By $0.05 EPS

NorthWestern Energy Group (NYSE:NWE) announced its earnings results on Monday. The company reported $0.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.70 by ($0.05), Zacks reports. NorthWestern Energy Group had a net margin of 14.21% and a return on equity of 7.65%. The business had revenue of $345.20 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $344.06 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.49 EPS.

NorthWestern Energy Group Stock Performance

NorthWestern Energy Group stock traded down $1.85 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $53.49. 134,665 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 340,418. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $55.34 and its 200-day moving average price is $52.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 0.52 and a quick ratio of 0.36. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.43, a P/E/G ratio of 2.54 and a beta of 0.46. NorthWestern Energy Group has a 1 year low of $46.15 and a 1 year high of $57.48.

NorthWestern Energy Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 13th were paid a dividend of $0.65 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, September 13th. This represents a $2.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.86%. NorthWestern Energy Group’s payout ratio is currently 75.80%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have issued reports on NWE. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of NorthWestern Energy Group from $50.00 to $53.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on NorthWestern Energy Group from $56.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, October 21st. Bank of America assumed coverage on NorthWestern Energy Group in a report on Thursday, September 12th. They set a “buy” rating and a $65.00 price objective on the stock. Mizuho increased their price target on NorthWestern Energy Group from $52.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of NorthWestern Energy Group from $58.00 to $61.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $56.14.

Insider Transactions at NorthWestern Energy Group

In related news, Director Britt E. Ide sold 688 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.92, for a total value of $35,720.96. Following the transaction, the director now owns 10,778 shares in the company, valued at approximately $559,593.76. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 0.57% of the company’s stock.

About NorthWestern Energy Group

NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc provides electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and various industrial customers. It generates, purchases, transmits, and distributes electricity; and produces, purchases, stores, transmits, and distributes natural gas, as well as owns municipal franchises to provide natural gas service in the communities.