NiSource, Inc (NI) – What Are Brokerages Thinking About This Stock?

NiSource, Inc (NYSE:NI) has earned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the thirteen brokerages that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $48.58.

NI has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on shares of NiSource from $52.00 to $51.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 20th. Barclays decreased their target price on NiSource from $45.00 to $44.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 19th. Wall Street Zen downgraded NiSource from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Sunday, November 8th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on NiSource from $45.00 to $48.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, October 19th. Finally, Scotiabank began coverage on NiSource in a report on Tuesday, September 29th. They set a “sector perform” rating and a $43.00 price target for the company.

Insider Activity at NiSource

In other news, CFO Shawn Anderson sold 6,500 shares of NiSource stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $45.58, for a total transaction of $296,270.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 153,580 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $7,000,176.40. The trade was a 4.06% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 0.37% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On NiSource

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Compass Financial Management LLC purchased a new position in NiSource during the second quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Keating Financial Advisory Services Inc. bought a new position in shares of NiSource in the second quarter worth approximately $33,000. Western Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of NiSource in the first quarter worth $34,000. Fiduciary Financial Advisors purchased a new stake in shares of NiSource in the second quarter worth $35,000. Finally, Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of NiSource during the 2nd quarter valued at $39,000. 91.64% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

NiSource Stock Performance

NYSE NI traded up $0.26 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $46.07. 5,300,460 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,236,815. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $42.05 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $44.91. The company has a current ratio of 0.50, a quick ratio of 0.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.37. The firm has a market capitalization of $22.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.63, a P/E/G ratio of 3.40 and a beta of 0.53. NiSource has a 52 week low of $38.42 and a 52 week high of $49.21.

NiSource (NYSE:NI) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 28th. The utilities provider reported $0.27 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.23 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $1.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.34 billion. NiSource had a net margin of 13.56% and a return on equity of 8.16%. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.19 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that NiSource will post 2.06 EPS for the current year.

NiSource Company Profile

NiSource Inc. is a regulated energy holding company that delivers natural gas and electricity through its local utility subsidiaries. Its businesses focus on operating and maintaining energy infrastructure and providing service to residential, commercial and industrial customers. The company’s natural gas utilities serve customers in Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Its electric utility, Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), serves customers in northern Indiana.