Welch Group LLC Increases Stock Holdings in Entergy Corporation (NYSE:ETR)

Welch Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Entergy Corporation (NYSE:ETR) by 100.0% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 6,092 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 3,046 shares during the period. Welch Group LLC’s holdings in Entergy were worth $461,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of ETR. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of Entergy in the third quarter worth $27,000. Cetera Trust Company N.A purchased a new position in shares of Entergy during the 3rd quarter worth $29,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC grew its position in shares of Entergy by 423.8% in the third quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 220 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 178 shares during the period. IFS Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Entergy in the fourth quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, Ulland Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in Entergy by 100.0% during the fourth quarter. Ulland Investment Advisors LLC now owns 400 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the period. 88.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Entergy Trading Up 1.2 %

Shares of NYSE ETR opened at $82.04 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.77. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $77.23 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $68.90. Entergy Corporation has a 52-week low of $48.08 and a 52-week high of $84.26. The stock has a market capitalization of $35.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.99, a PEG ratio of 2.50 and a beta of 0.72.

Entergy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 10th will be paid a dividend of $0.60 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 10th. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.93%. Entergy’s payout ratio is 58.47%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH raised shares of Entergy from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $86.50 price target on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 30th. Mizuho increased their target price on shares of Entergy from $69.00 to $82.50 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, November 4th. StockNews.com raised shares of Entergy from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Sunday, December 29th. Guggenheim increased their price objective on shares of Entergy from $72.50 to $82.50 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Finally, Barclays upped their price target on shares of Entergy from $68.50 to $76.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Entergy presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $79.81.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Entergy news, insider Haley Fisackerly sold 8,268 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $74.52, for a total value of $616,090.02. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 4,032 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $300,444.48. This trade represents a 67.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, insider Eliecer Viamontes sold 400 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $73.50, for a total transaction of $29,400.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 8,346 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $613,431. This trade represents a 4.57 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 14,756 shares of company stock valued at $1,095,637. Company insiders own 0.54% of the company’s stock.

About Entergy

Entergy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and retail distribution of electricity in the United States. It generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power in portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, including the City of New Orleans; and distributes natural gas.