NiSource, Inc (NYSE:NI) Given Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of NiSource, Inc (NYSE:NI) have been assigned a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the eleven brokerages that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $50.3333.

Several analysts have recently commented on the stock. KeyCorp assumed coverage on shares of NiSource in a research report on Tuesday, March 31st. They set an “overweight” rating and a $52.00 price objective for the company. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of NiSource from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Saturday, May 16th. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of NiSource from a “buy (b+)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Evercore set a $52.00 price objective on shares of NiSource in a research report on Monday, May 11th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of NiSource from $51.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 7th.

Insider Activity at NiSource

In other news, EVP Melanie B. Berman sold 15,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.68, for a total transaction of $715,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 35,990 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,716,003.20. This trade represents a 29.42% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Melody Birmingham sold 2,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.43, for a total transaction of $118,575.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 116,036 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,503,587.48. This trade represents a 2.11% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 27,500 shares of company stock valued at $1,305,675. Insiders own 0.37% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of NiSource

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Advisory Services Network LLC grew its position in NiSource by 1.5% in the 4th quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 15,171 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $634,000 after purchasing an additional 220 shares during the period. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund grew its position in NiSource by 1.2% in the 4th quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 18,864 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $788,000 after purchasing an additional 225 shares during the period. Tower Bridge Advisors grew its position in NiSource by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter. Tower Bridge Advisors now owns 21,132 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $915,000 after purchasing an additional 232 shares during the period. Choreo LLC grew its position in NiSource by 2.7% in the 4th quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 8,769 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $369,000 after purchasing an additional 234 shares during the period. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Investment Management Company LLC grew its position in NiSource by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Investment Management Company LLC now owns 15,247 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $637,000 after purchasing an additional 240 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.64% of the company’s stock.

NiSource Stock Down 2.2%

NiSource stock opened at $46.69 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.30, a quick ratio of 0.56 and a current ratio of 0.65. NiSource has a 52-week low of $38.45 and a 52-week high of $48.98. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $47.23 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $45.31. The firm has a market cap of $22.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.23, a PEG ratio of 3.81 and a beta of 0.54.

NiSource (NYSE:NI) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.06. NiSource had a net margin of 14.15% and a return on equity of 8.31%. The firm had revenue of $2.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.52 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.85 EPS. NiSource has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.020-2.070 EPS. Equities analysts predict that NiSource will post 2.05 EPS for the current year.

NiSource Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 31st will be given a dividend of $0.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 31st. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.6%. NiSource’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 59.70%.

About NiSource

NiSource, Inc (NYSE: NI) is a publicly traded energy holding company headquartered in Merrillville, Indiana, that primarily owns and operates regulated local gas and electric utilities in the United States. Through its operating subsidiaries, the company delivers natural gas and electricity to residential, commercial and industrial customers and provides the associated distribution and transmission services that keep local energy systems functioning.

The company’s core activities include natural gas distribution, electric transmission and distribution, system operations, maintenance and emergency response.