Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL) Shares Bought by Horizon Investment Services LLC

Horizon Investment Services LLC raised its stake in shares of Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL) by 4.7% during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 4,238 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 192 shares during the quarter. Horizon Investment Services LLC’s holdings in Xcel Energy were worth $286,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company lifted its position in Xcel Energy by 2.2% during the 3rd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 558,848 shares of the company’s stock worth $36,493,000 after acquiring an additional 11,975 shares during the period. Avestar Capital LLC acquired a new position in Xcel Energy in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $208,000. Townsquare Capital LLC lifted its stake in Xcel Energy by 2.4% during the 3rd quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC now owns 28,180 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,840,000 after acquiring an additional 664 shares during the period. Freedom Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Xcel Energy by 20.1% in the 3rd quarter. Freedom Investment Management Inc. now owns 6,707 shares of the company’s stock valued at $438,000 after acquiring an additional 1,123 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund increased its stake in shares of Xcel Energy by 107.8% in the third quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 105,979 shares of the company’s stock worth $6,920,000 after acquiring an additional 54,967 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.38% of the company’s stock.

Xcel Energy Stock Up 0.6 %

XEL opened at $69.72 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42. Xcel Energy Inc. has a twelve month low of $51.97 and a twelve month high of $73.38. The company has a market cap of $40.06 billion, a PE ratio of 20.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.37. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $68.59 and a 200 day moving average price of $67.22.

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $0.81 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.87 by ($0.06). Xcel Energy had a net margin of 14.40% and a return on equity of 10.65%. Sell-side analysts expect that Xcel Energy Inc. will post 3.82 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Xcel Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, April 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 14th will be given a $0.57 dividend. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.27%. This is a boost from Xcel Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.55. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th. Xcel Energy’s dividend payout ratio is 66.28%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on XEL shares. UBS Group increased their price target on Xcel Energy from $70.00 to $73.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, March 21st. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Xcel Energy from $75.00 to $78.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Thursday, March 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Xcel Energy from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $69.00 to $80.00 in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. KeyCorp boosted their target price on shares of Xcel Energy from $74.00 to $79.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 4th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Xcel Energy from $72.00 to $75.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $72.30.

Insider Transactions at Xcel Energy

In related news, Director Devin W. Stockfish purchased 2,170 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $68.93 per share, with a total value of $149,578.10. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 3,007 shares in the company, valued at $207,272.51. This trade represents a 259.26 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Insiders own 0.09% of the company’s stock.

Xcel Energy Profile

Xcel Energy Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, purchasing, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity. It operates through Regulated Electric Utility, Regulated Natural Gas Utility, and All Other segments. The company generates electricity through wind, nuclear, hydroelectric, biomass, and solar energy sources, as well as coal, natural gas, oil, wood, and refuse-derived fuels.