MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE:MDU) Shares Sold by Cerity Partners LLC

Cerity Partners LLC lowered its position in MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE:MDU) by 11.5% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 50,880 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after selling 6,592 shares during the period. Cerity Partners LLC’s holdings in MDU Resources Group were worth $917,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of MDU. Principal Securities Inc. lifted its stake in MDU Resources Group by 164.4% in the 4th quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 1,470 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 914 shares in the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC lifted its position in shares of MDU Resources Group by 99.6% in the fourth quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 1,834 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 915 shares in the last quarter. Crews Bank & Trust acquired a new stake in shares of MDU Resources Group during the fourth quarter valued at $39,000. Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. increased its position in MDU Resources Group by 84.4% during the 4th quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 2,487 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 1,138 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. raised its stake in MDU Resources Group by 19.4% in the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 3,505 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $63,000 after purchasing an additional 570 shares during the last quarter. 71.44% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

MDU Resources Group Trading Up 0.1 %

MDU stock opened at $16.78 on Friday. MDU Resources Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $13.23 and a 52 week high of $20.39. The company has a market cap of $3.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.16, a PEG ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a quick ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $16.70 and a 200-day simple moving average of $19.23.

MDU Resources Group (NYSE:MDU) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The utilities provider reported $0.34 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.31 by $0.03. MDU Resources Group had a return on equity of 10.20% and a net margin of 7.31%. On average, equities research analysts expect that MDU Resources Group, Inc. will post 0.94 EPS for the current year.

MDU Resources Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 13th were paid a dividend of $0.13 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 13th. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.10%. MDU Resources Group’s dividend payout ratio is currently 37.68%.

Insider Transactions at MDU Resources Group

In related news, Director Dennis W. Johnson bought 30,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 10th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $16.64 per share, for a total transaction of $499,200.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 180,166 shares in the company, valued at $2,997,962.24. This represents a 19.98 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.94% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MDU has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on shares of MDU Resources Group in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. They set a “hold” rating and a $18.00 price target for the company. StockNews.com lowered shares of MDU Resources Group from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 20th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, MDU Resources Group presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $21.00.

MDU Resources Group Company Profile

MDU Resources Group, Inc engages in the regulated energy delivery, and construction materials and services businesses in the United States. It operates through four segments: Electric, Natural Gas Distribution, Pipeline, and Construction Services. The Electric segment generates, transmits, and distributes electricity for residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming; and operates 3,400 miles of transmission lines, 4,800 miles of distribution lines, and 82 transmission and 298 distribution substations.