Trexquant Investment LP Grows Position in MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE:MDU)

Trexquant Investment LP lifted its stake in shares of MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE:MDU) by 809.3% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 243,843 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after buying an additional 217,026 shares during the period. Trexquant Investment LP owned approximately 0.12% of MDU Resources Group worth $4,394,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Principal Securities Inc. lifted its position in MDU Resources Group by 164.4% during the 4th quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 1,470 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 914 shares during the period. V Square Quantitative Management LLC boosted its position in 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 buying an additional 915 shares during the last quarter. Crews Bank & Trust acquired a new position in MDU Resources Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $39,000. Blue Trust Inc. raised its position in MDU Resources Group by 19.4% during the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 3,505 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $63,000 after buying an additional 570 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Lee Danner & Bass Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of MDU Resources Group in the 4th quarter valued at $77,000. 71.44% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

MDU Resources Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE MDU opened at $16.04 on Friday. MDU Resources Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $12.99 and a 1 year high of $20.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 1.15. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $16.96 and its 200 day moving average price is $20.09. The company has a market capitalization of $3.28 billion, a PE ratio of 11.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.68.

MDU Resources Group (NYSE:MDU) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The utilities provider reported $0.34 EPS for the quarter, beating 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, research analysts predict that MDU Resources Group, Inc. will post 0.94 earnings per share for the current year.

MDU Resources Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Investors of record on Thursday, March 13th were issued a $0.13 dividend. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.24%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 13th. MDU Resources Group’s payout ratio is presently 37.68%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Dennis W. Johnson bought 30,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 10th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $16.64 per share, for a total transaction of $499,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 180,166 shares in the company, valued at $2,997,962.24. This trade 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 is available through this link. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently issued reports on MDU. StockNews.com cut shares of MDU Resources Group from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Thursday, February 20th. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on MDU Resources Group in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. They issued a “hold” rating and a $18.00 price objective for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, MDU Resources Group has a consensus 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.