StockNews.com Begins Coverage on Avangrid (NYSE:AGR)

StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Avangrid (NYSE:AGR) in a research note issued to investors on Monday. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the utilities provider’s stock.

Avangrid Stock Performance

Shares of Avangrid stock opened at $35.79 on Monday. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $35.78 and its 200-day simple moving average is $35.85. The company has a quick ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49. The firm has a market cap of $13.85 billion, a PE ratio of 15.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.66 and a beta of 0.55. Avangrid has a 52 week low of $28.75 and a 52 week high of $37.70.

Avangrid (NYSE:AGR) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 22nd. The utilities provider reported $0.55 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.33 by $0.22. Avangrid had a net margin of 11.35% and a return on equity of 4.87%. The company had revenue of $2.08 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.04 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.27 earnings per share. Avangrid’s revenue was up 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts forecast that Avangrid will post 2.24 earnings per share for the current year.

Avangrid Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.44 per share. This represents a $1.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.92%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 2nd. Avangrid’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 76.19%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Avangrid

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in Avangrid during the 1st quarter worth about $26,000. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its position in shares of Avangrid by 244.9% during the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 807 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 573 shares in the last quarter. Eastern Bank purchased a new position in shares of Avangrid in the third quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc grew its holdings in shares of Avangrid by 163.9% in the first quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 863 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 536 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Central Pacific Bank Trust Division acquired a new position in shares of Avangrid in the first quarter valued at approximately $36,000. 13.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Avangrid

Avangrid, Inc, an energy services holding company, engages in the regulated energy transmission and distribution, and renewable energy generation businesses in the United States. The company operates through Networks and Renewables segments. It is involved in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity; and distribution, transportation, and sale of natural gas.