BNP Paribas Financial Markets Cuts Stock Position in Northwest Natural Holding (NYSE:NWN)

BNP Paribas Financial Markets decreased its holdings in shares of Northwest Natural Holding (NYSE:NWN) by 8.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 27,793 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after selling 2,451 shares during the quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets’ holdings in Northwest Natural were worth $1,135,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its holdings in shares of Northwest Natural by 173.5% in the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 796 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 505 shares during the last quarter. Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new stake in Northwest Natural during the third quarter worth approximately $34,000. Quest Partners LLC raised its position in Northwest Natural by 12,044.4% during the second quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 1,093 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 1,084 shares during the period. Quarry LP lifted its stake in shares of Northwest Natural by 155.0% in the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,923 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $69,000 after purchasing an additional 1,169 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CWM LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Northwest Natural by 257.4% in the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 3,738 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $135,000 after purchasing an additional 2,692 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 75.13% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on Northwest Natural from $45.00 to $44.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 14th.

Northwest Natural Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:NWN opened at $41.76 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15. Northwest Natural Holding has a 12 month low of $34.82 and a 12 month high of $44.25. The company has a market capitalization of $1.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.70 and a beta of 0.61. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $40.97 and its 200 day moving average is $39.14.

Northwest Natural (NYSE:NWN) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, November 12th. The utilities provider reported ($0.71) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.79) by $0.08. Northwest Natural had a return on equity of 5.89% and a net margin of 6.90%. The business had revenue of $136.90 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $132.47 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned ($0.65) earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 3.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that Northwest Natural Holding will post 2.33 EPS for the current year.

Northwest Natural Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 31st were paid a $0.49 dividend. This is a positive change from Northwest Natural’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, October 31st. This represents a $1.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.69%. Northwest Natural’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 92.45%.

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.