Head to Head Analysis: MDU Resources Group (NYSE:MDU) versus Northwest Natural Gas (NYSE:NWN)

MDU Resources Group (NYSE:MDU) and Northwest Natural Gas (NYSE:NWN) are both utilities companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, dividends, institutional ownership, earnings, analyst recommendations, risk and valuation.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

71.4% of MDU Resources Group shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 75.1% of Northwest Natural Gas shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.9% of MDU Resources Group shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.8% of Northwest Natural Gas shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares MDU Resources Group and Northwest Natural Gas”s revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
MDU Resources Group	$1.76 billion	2.31	$281.11 million	$1.06	18.77
Northwest Natural Gas	$1.15 billion	1.65	$78.87 million	$2.53	18.62

MDU Resources Group has higher revenue and earnings than Northwest Natural Gas. Northwest Natural Gas is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than MDU Resources Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Dividends

MDU Resources Group pays an annual dividend of $0.56 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.8%. Northwest Natural Gas pays an annual dividend of $1.96 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.2%. MDU Resources Group pays out 52.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Northwest Natural Gas pays out 77.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. MDU Resources Group has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years and Northwest Natural Gas has raised its dividend for 70 consecutive years. Northwest Natural Gas is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Risk and Volatility

MDU Resources Group has a beta of 0.7, meaning that its stock price is 30% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Northwest Natural Gas has a beta of 0.57, meaning that its stock price is 43% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for MDU Resources Group and Northwest Natural Gas, as reported by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
MDU Resources Group	1	3	3	0	2.29
Northwest Natural Gas	0	3	1	1	2.60

MDU Resources Group presently has a consensus target price of $19.50, indicating a potential downside of 1.99%. Northwest Natural Gas has a consensus target price of $49.67, indicating a potential upside of 5.43%. Given Northwest Natural Gas’ stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Northwest Natural Gas is more favorable than MDU Resources Group.

Profitability

This table compares MDU Resources Group and Northwest Natural Gas’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
MDU Resources Group	8.25%	8.29%	3.20%
Northwest Natural Gas	8.34%	8.60%	2.25%

About MDU Resources Group

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. The Natural Gas Distribution segment distributes natural gas for residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming; and supplies related value-added services. The Pipeline segment provides natural gas transportation and underground storage services through a regulated pipeline system primarily in the Rocky Mountain and northern Great Plains regions; and cathodic protection and other energy-related services. The Construction Services segment offers electrical and mechanical contracting services, including the construction and maintenance of electrical and communication wiring and infrastructure, fire suppression systems, mechanical piping, and services; transmission and distribution contracting services, comprise construction and maintenance of overhead and underground electrical, and gas and communication infrastructure; and manufactures and supplies transmission and distribution lines construction equipment and tools. It serves manufacturing, commercial, industrial, transportation, institutional, and renewable and government customers, as well as utilities. MDU Resources Group, Inc. was incorporated in 1924 and is headquartered in Bismarck, North Dakota.

About Northwest Natural Gas

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. It also engages in gas storage, water and wastewater, non-regulated renewable natural gas, and other investment businesses. In addition, the company provides natural gas service in Oregon and southwest Washington; and water and wastewater connections. Northwest Natural Holding Company was founded in 1859 and is headquartered in Portland, Oregon.