Unitil Co. (NYSE:UTL) Short Interest Update

Unitil Co. (NYSE:UTL) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest in the month of February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 145,100 shares, a decrease of 31.3% from the February 13th total of 211,300 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 62,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.3 days. Currently, 0.9% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Unitil Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:UTL traded up $0.14 on Monday, hitting $56.41. 49,358 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 56,860. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a current ratio of 0.83. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $54.84 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $57.06. Unitil has a one year low of $47.40 and a one year high of $63.52. The firm has a market capitalization of $916.40 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.25 and a beta of 0.60.

Unitil Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 28th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 13th were issued a $0.45 dividend. This is a boost from Unitil’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.43. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 13th. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.19%. Unitil’s dividend payout ratio is 61.43%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Guggenheim reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $55.00 price target on shares of Unitil in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th.

Institutional Trading of Unitil

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Unitil by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 81,392 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $4,931,000 after acquiring an additional 1,659 shares in the last quarter. Foundry Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Unitil by 1.2% during the third quarter. Foundry Partners LLC now owns 113,925 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $6,902,000 after purchasing an additional 1,320 shares in the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Unitil by 11.2% in the 3rd quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 9,154 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $555,000 after purchasing an additional 920 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company lifted its position in shares of Unitil by 3.9% during the 3rd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 511,814 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $31,006,000 after buying an additional 19,341 shares during the period. Finally, Martingale Asset Management L P boosted its stake in Unitil by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter. Martingale Asset Management L P now owns 34,880 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $2,113,000 after buying an additional 594 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 76.76% of the company’s stock.

Unitil Company Profile

Unitil Corporation, a public utility holding company, engages in the distribution of electricity and natural gas. It operates through two segments, Utility Electric Operations, Utility Gas Operations. The company distributes electricity in the southeastern seacoast and state capital regions of New Hampshire, and the greater Fitchburg area of north central Massachusetts; and distributes natural gas in southeastern New Hampshire and portions of southern and central Maine, including the city of Portland and the Lewiston-Auburn area, as well as electricity and natural gas in the greater Fitchburg area of north central Massachusetts.