NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:NWE) Announces Quarterly Dividend of $0.66

NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:NWE) declared a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, February 12th, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Friday, March 14th will be given a dividend of 0.66 per share on Monday, March 31st. This represents a $2.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.77%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th. This is a 1.5% increase from NorthWestern Energy Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.65.

NorthWestern Energy Group has increased its dividend payment by an average of 1.6% per year over the last three years and has increased its dividend every year for the last 21 years. NorthWestern Energy Group has a payout ratio of 68.2% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities analysts expect NorthWestern Energy Group to earn $3.87 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $2.64 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 68.2%.

NorthWestern Energy Group Stock Down 2.1 %

NYSE NWE opened at $55.29 on Wednesday. NorthWestern Energy Group has a 12 month low of $47.48 and a 12 month high of $57.49. The company has a market capitalization of $3.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.15, a PEG ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.45. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $53.84 and its 200 day simple moving average is $54.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 0.52 and a quick ratio of 0.37.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other NorthWestern Energy Group news, Director Britt E. Ide sold 702 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.32, for a total value of $38,132.64. Following the sale, the director now owns 11,021 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $598,660.72. This trade represents a 5.99 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Anthony Thomas Clark sold 7,400 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.95, for a total value of $384,430.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 16,816 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $873,591.20. This trade represents a 30.56 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.94% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of NorthWestern Energy Group from $57.00 to $56.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, February 19th. Guggenheim upgraded NorthWestern Energy Group from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded shares of NorthWestern Energy Group from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $57.50 price target for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 15th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, NorthWestern Energy Group currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $59.25.

NorthWestern Energy Group Company Profile

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.