Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC Increases Stake in MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE:MDU)

Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC raised its position in MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE:MDU) by 300.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 691,993 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 519,029 shares during the period. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC’s holdings in MDU Resources Group were worth $12,470,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in MDU. Principal Securities Inc. boosted its holdings 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 purchasing an additional 914 shares in the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC boosted its stake 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 buying an additional 915 shares in the last quarter. Crews Bank & Trust acquired a new position in MDU Resources Group during the fourth quarter worth $39,000. Blue Trust Inc. grew its holdings in MDU Resources Group by 19.4% during the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 3,505 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $63,000 after acquiring an additional 570 shares during the period. Finally, Lee Danner & Bass Inc. purchased a new position in MDU Resources Group in the fourth quarter worth $77,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.44% of the company’s stock.

MDU Resources Group Price Performance

MDU Resources Group stock opened at $16.89 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.45 billion, a PE ratio of 12.24, a P/E/G ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.81. MDU Resources Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $12.99 and a 52 week high of $20.39. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $17.08 and its 200 day simple moving average is $20.33. The company has a quick ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73.

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

MDU Resources Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 13th will be given a $0.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 13th. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.08%. MDU Resources Group’s dividend payout ratio is currently 37.68%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on shares of MDU Resources Group in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. They set a “hold” rating and a $18.00 price target on the stock. 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 investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, MDU Resources Group presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $21.00.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Dennis W. Johnson bought 30,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 10th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $16.64 per share, with a total value of $499,200.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 180,166 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,997,962.24. This trade represents a 19.98 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 1.00% of the company’s stock.

MDU Resources Group 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.