Creative Planning Invests $211,000 in Northwest Natural Holding (NYSE:NWN)

Creative Planning bought a new stake in shares of Northwest Natural Holding (NYSE:NWN) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 5,164 shares of the utilities provider’s stock, valued at approximately $211,000.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in NWN. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL increased its holdings in Northwest Natural by 113.2% in the first quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL now owns 235,400 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $8,762,000 after buying an additional 125,000 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its stake in shares of Northwest Natural by 406.0% in the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 144,198 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $5,207,000 after purchasing an additional 115,698 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Northwest Natural by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 4,421,601 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $164,572,000 after purchasing an additional 71,214 shares during the period. Brandes Investment Partners LP boosted its position in Northwest Natural by 1,040.1% during the second quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP now owns 68,977 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $2,467,000 after purchasing an additional 62,927 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC acquired a new stake in Northwest Natural in the first quarter valued at approximately $2,156,000. 75.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Northwest Natural Price Performance

NYSE:NWN opened at $40.88 on Monday. Northwest Natural Holding has a one year low of $34.82 and a one year high of $41.34. The stock has a market cap of $1.58 billion, a PE ratio of 18.75 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 0.97. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $39.90 and a 200 day moving average price of $38.53.

Northwest Natural Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 31st will be paid a $0.49 dividend. This represents a $1.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.79%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 31st. This is a positive change from Northwest Natural’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. Northwest Natural’s dividend payout ratio is 89.91%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Janney Montgomery Scott upgraded Northwest Natural from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and increased their target price for the company from $36.00 to $43.00 in a research report on Monday, August 5th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Northwest Natural from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, August 5th.

Northwest Natural Company Profile

Northwest Natural Holding Company, through its subsidiary, Northwest Natural Gas Company, provides regulated natural gas distribution services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in the United States. The company operates a mist gas storage facility contracted to other utilities, third-party marketers, and electric generators; offers natural gas asset management services; and operates an appliance retail center.