Fintel reports that on July 7, 2023, Guggenheim maintained coverage of Northwest Natural Holding (NYSE:NWN) with a Neutral recommendation.
Analyst Price Forecast Suggests 29.21% Upside
As of July 6, 2023, the average one-year price target for Northwest Natural Holding is 54.06. The forecasts range from a low of 45.45 to a high of $64.05. The average price target represents an increase of 29.21% from its latest reported closing price of 41.84.
See our leaderboard of companies with the largest price target upside.
The projected annual revenue for Northwest Natural Holding is 1,017MM, a decrease of 11.52%. The projected annual non-GAAP EPS is 2.74.
Northwest Natural Holding Declares $0.48 Dividend
On April 13, 2023 the company declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.48 per share ($1.94 annualized). Shareholders of record as of April 28, 2023 received the payment on May 15, 2023. Previously, the company paid $0.48 per share.
At the current share price of $41.84 / share, the stock's dividend yield is 4.64%.
Looking back five years and taking a sample every week, the average dividend yield has been 3.50%, the lowest has been 2.53%, and the highest has been 4.58%. The standard deviation of yields is 0.58 (n=235).
The current dividend yield is 1.97 standard deviations above the historical average.
Additionally, the company's dividend payout ratio is 0.69. The payout ratio tells us how much of a company's income is paid out in dividends. A payout ratio of one (1.0) means 100% of the company's income is paid in a dividend. A payout ratio greater than one means the company is dipping into savings in order to maintain its dividend - not a healthy situation. Companies with few growth prospects are expected to pay out most of their income in dividends, which typically means a payout ratio between 0.5 and 1.0. Companies with good growth prospects are expected to retain some earnings in order to invest in those growth prospects, which translates to a payout ratio of zero to 0.5.
The company's 3-Year dividend growth rate is 0.02%, demonstrating that it has increased its dividend over time.
What is the Fund Sentiment?
There are 550 funds or institutions reporting positions in Northwest Natural Holding. This is an increase of 21 owner(s) or 3.97% in the last quarter. Average portfolio weight of all funds dedicated to NWN is 0.13%, an increase of 2.63%. Total shares owned by institutions decreased in the last three months by 1.15% to 31,973K shares. 
The put/call ratio of NWN is 0.24, indicating a bullish outlook.
What are Other Shareholders Doing?
IJR - iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF holds 2,561K shares representing 7.12% ownership of the company. In it's prior filing, the firm reported owning 2,606K shares, representing a decrease of 1.76%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in NWN by 4.58% over the last quarter.
Invesco holds 1,459K shares representing 4.06% ownership of the company. In it's prior filing, the firm reported owning 1,514K shares, representing a decrease of 3.74%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in NWN by 91.51% over the last quarter.
VTSMX - Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares holds 1,073K shares representing 2.98% ownership of the company. In it's prior filing, the firm reported owning 1,066K shares, representing an increase of 0.67%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in NWN by 7.10% over the last quarter.
NAESX - Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Investor Shares holds 919K shares representing 2.56% ownership of the company. In it's prior filing, the firm reported owning 904K shares, representing an increase of 1.64%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in NWN by 2.49% over the last quarter.
Duff & Phelps Investment Management holds 800K shares representing 2.22% ownership of the company. No change in the last quarter.
Northwest Natural Holding Background Information
(This description is provided by the company.)
Northwest Natural Holding Company (NYSE: NWN) (NW Natural Holdings) is headquartered in Portland, Oregon and has been doing business for more than 160 years. It owns Northwest Natural Gas Company (NW Natural), NW Natural Water Company (NW Natural Water), and other business interests and activities. NW Natural is a local distribution company that currently provides natural gas service to approximately 2.5 million people in more than 140 communities through nearly 770,000 meters in Oregon and Southwest Washington with one of the most modern pipeline systems in the nation. NW Natural consistently leads the industry with high J.D. Power & Associates customer satisfaction scores. NW Natural owns and operates 20 Bcf of underground gas storage capacity in Oregon. NW Natural Water provides water distribution and wastewater services to communities throughout the Pacific Northwest and Texas. NW Natural Water currently serves approximately 65,000 people through about 26,000 connections.
Additional reading:
- NW Natural Holdings and NW Natural Directors Name Justin B. Palfreyman President and
- Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 2022 Change In thousands, except per share data Amount Per Share Amount Per Share Amount Per Share Net income: Natural Gas Distribution segment $ 71,951 $ 2.02 $ 55,390 $ 1.77 $ 16,561 $ 0.25 Other (280) (0.01) 849 0
- 2022 2021 Change In thousands, except per share data Amount Per Share Amount Per Share Amount Per Share Net income: Natural Gas Distribution segment $ 79,690 $ 2.34 $ 68,988 $ 2.24 $ 10,702 $ 0.10 Other 6,613 0.20 9,678 0.32 (3,065) (0.12) Consolidat
- Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under Long Term Incentive Plan (2023).
- Executive Annual Incentive Plan, effective
This story originally appeared on Fintel.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
