MDU Resources Group Inc (NYSE: MDU) has seen a decline in its stock price by -0.33 in relation to its previous close of 18.14. However, the company has experienced a 0.39% gain in its stock price over the last five trading sessions. zacks.com reported 2025-01-14 that Investors interested in Utility – Gas Distribution stocks are likely familiar with MDU Resources (MDU) and Atmos Energy (ATO). But which of these two stocks offers value investors a better bang for their buck right now?
Is It Worth Investing in MDU Resources Group Inc (NYSE: MDU) Right Now?
The price-to-earnings ratio for MDU Resources Group Inc (NYSE: MDU) is 9.31x, which is above its average ratio. Moreover, the 36-month beta value for MDU is 0.86. Analysts have varying opinions on the stock, with 3 analysts rating it as a “buy,” 0 as “overweight,” 2 as “hold,” and 0 as “sell.”
The public float for MDU is 198.28M and currently, short sellers hold a 2.68% of that float. On January 15, 2025, MDU’s average trading volume was 2.69M shares.
MDU’s Market Performance
MDU stock saw a decrease of 0.39% in the past week, with a monthly decline of -3.78% and a quarterly a decrease of 13.14%. The volatility ratio for the week is 1.84%, and the volatility levels for the last 30 days are 2.06% for MDU Resources Group Inc (MDU). The simple moving average for the last 20 days is -0.03% for MDU stock, with a simple moving average of 17.99% for the last 200 days.
Analysts’ Opinion of MDU
Many brokerage firms have already submitted their reports for MDU stocks, with Jefferies repeating the rating for MDU by listing it as a “Hold.” The predicted price for MDU in the upcoming period, according to Jefferies is $18 based on the research report published on January 08, 2025 of the current year 2025.
BofA Securities, on the other hand, stated in their research note that they expect to see MDU reach a price target of $17. The rating they have provided for MDU stocks is “Buy” according to the report published on November 05th, 2024.
Siebert Williams Shank gave a rating of “Buy” to MDU, setting the target price at $19 in the report published on November 04th of the previous year.
MDU Trading at -1.84% from the 50-Day Moving Average
After a stumble in the market that brought MDU to its low price for the period of the last 52 weeks, the company was unable to rebound, for now settling with -11.34% of loss for the given period.
Volatility was left at 2.06%, however, over the last 30 days, the volatility rate increased by 1.84%, as shares sank -3.98% for the moving average over the last 20 days. Over the last 50 days, in opposition, the stock is trading -37.26% lower at present.
During the last 5 trading sessions, MDU rose by +0.50%, which changed the moving average for the period of 200-days by -28.17% in comparison to the 20-day moving average, which settled at $18.09. In addition, MDU Resources Group Inc saw 0.33% in overturn over a single year, with a tendency to cut further gains.
Insider Trading
Reports are indicating that there were more than several insider trading activities at MDU starting from Johnson Rob L., who purchase 36,291 shares at the price of $25.46 back on May 07 ’24. After this action, Johnson Rob L. now owns 41,934 shares of MDU Resources Group Inc, valued at $923,970 using the latest closing price.
Rosenthal Dale, the Director of MDU Resources Group Inc, purchase 375 shares at $22.55 during a trade that took place back on Mar 12 ’24, which means that Rosenthal Dale is holding 16,499 shares at $8,456 based on the most recent closing price.
Stock Fundamentals for MDU
Current profitability levels for the company are sitting at:
- 0.1 for the present operating margin
- 0.16 for the gross margin
The net margin for MDU Resources Group Inc stands at 0.09. The total capital return value is set at 0.07. Equity return is now at value 13.56, with 4.92 for asset returns.
Based on MDU Resources Group Inc (MDU), the company’s capital structure generated 0.45 points at debt to capital in total, while cash flow to debt ratio is standing at 0.23. The debt to equity ratio resting at 0.83. The interest coverage ratio of the stock is 3.86.
Currently, EBITDA for the company is 867.71 million with net debt to EBITDA at 3.25. When we switch over and look at the enterprise to sales, we see a ratio of 1.38. The receivables turnover for the company is 4.76for trailing twelve months and the total asset turnover is 0.54. The liquidity ratio also appears to be rather interesting for investors as it stands at 1.15.
Conclusion
To wrap up, the performance of MDU Resources Group Inc (MDU) has been better in recent times. The stock has received a bullish of “buy” and “hold” ratings from analysts. It’s important to note that the stock is currently trading at a significant distance from its 50-day moving average and its 52-week high.
