Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL) Stake Lessened by Front Row Advisors LLC

Front Row Advisors LLC lessened its holdings in Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL) by 10.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,513 shares of the company’s stock after selling 175 shares during the period. Front Row Advisors LLC’s holdings in Xcel Energy were worth $81,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of XEL. TruNorth Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Xcel Energy in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. American National Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Xcel Energy during the second quarter worth $32,000. Quarry LP acquired a new stake in Xcel Energy during the fourth quarter valued at $34,000. Rothschild Investment LLC purchased a new position in Xcel Energy in the second quarter valued at about $37,000. Finally, YHB Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Xcel Energy in the 1st quarter worth about $38,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.38% of the company’s stock.

Xcel Energy Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ XEL opened at $64.57 on Monday. Xcel Energy Inc. has a 12 month low of $46.79 and a 12 month high of $64.95. The company has a market cap of $35.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.39, a P/E/G ratio of 2.82 and a beta of 0.38. The business’s 50 day moving average is $60.82 and its two-hundred day moving average is $56.40. The company has a quick ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54.

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The company reported $0.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.57 by ($0.03). Xcel Energy had a return on equity of 10.94% and a net margin of 13.46%. The company had revenue of $3.03 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.29 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.52 EPS. The company’s revenue was up .2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts expect that Xcel Energy Inc. will post 3.55 EPS for the current year.

Xcel Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, October 20th. Investors of record on Friday, September 13th will be paid a $0.548 dividend. This represents a $2.19 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.39%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 13th. This is a boost from Xcel Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.55. Xcel Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 65.77%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on XEL shares. Argus upgraded Xcel Energy from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $68.00 price target for the company in a report on Monday, August 26th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Xcel Energy from $57.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on shares of Xcel Energy in a research note on Thursday, September 19th. They set a “hold” rating and a $70.00 price target on the stock. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of Xcel Energy from $68.00 to $73.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 25th. Finally, KeyCorp raised their target price on Xcel Energy from $65.00 to $66.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, September 16th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $64.14.

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.