Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES) Shares Acquired by Empowered Funds LLC

Empowered Funds LLC boosted its position in shares of Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES) by 58.0% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 14,830 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 5,441 shares during the quarter. Empowered Funds LLC’s holdings in Eversource Energy were worth $852,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of ES. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC purchased a new position in Eversource Energy during the third quarter worth $114,000. Creative Planning increased its position in Eversource Energy by 6.7% during the 3rd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 86,160 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $5,863,000 after purchasing an additional 5,417 shares in the last quarter. Aaron Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Eversource Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at about $241,000. Net Worth Advisory Group acquired a new position in Eversource Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at about $221,000. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. lifted its holdings in Eversource Energy by 135.2% in the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 2,347 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $160,000 after purchasing an additional 1,349 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.99% of the company’s stock.

Eversource Energy Stock Down 1.5 %

ES opened at $61.57 on Tuesday. Eversource Energy has a 1 year low of $54.75 and a 1 year high of $69.01. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $57.95 and a 200 day moving average price of $62.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a current ratio of 0.86. The company has a market cap of $22.56 billion, a PE ratio of -39.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 0.62.

Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 11th. The utilities provider reported $1.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.00 by $0.01. Eversource Energy had a negative net margin of 4.73% and a positive return on equity of 10.90%. Sell-side analysts expect that Eversource Energy will post 4.56 earnings per share for the current year.

Eversource Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 4th will be given a $0.7525 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 4th. This is a positive change from Eversource Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.72. This represents a $3.01 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.89%. Eversource Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -182.17%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on ES shares. Scotiabank cut their price objective on shares of Eversource Energy from $56.00 to $55.00 and set a “sector underperform” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. StockNews.com downgraded Eversource Energy from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Guggenheim restated a “buy” rating on shares of Eversource Energy in a report on Monday, February 10th. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on Eversource Energy from $52.00 to $47.00 and set an “underperform” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 28th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on Eversource Energy from $79.00 to $75.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Eversource Energy has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $67.45.

About Eversource Energy

Eversource Energy, a public utility holding company, engages in the energy delivery business. The company operates through Electric Distribution, Electric Transmission, Natural Gas Distribution, and Water Distribution segments. It is involved in the transmission and distribution of electricity; solar power facilities; and distribution of natural gas.