HTLF Bank Reduces Stake in NextEra Energy, Inc.

HTLF Bank has reduced its investment in NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE) by an impressive 47.9% during the fourth quarter, as reported in their recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Following the sale of 4,296 shares, HTLF Bank currently holds 4,673 shares of the utility provider’s stock, which were valued at approximately $335,000 at the end of the last quarter.

Recent Changes by Other Institutional Investors

Other institutional investors have also made adjustments to their positions in NextEra Energy. For instance, Tandem Capital Management Corp ADV increased its stake by 1.3% during the third quarter, owning a total of 9,935 shares now valued at around $840,000 after acquiring an additional 125 shares. Similarly, Insight Folios Inc raised its holdings by 1.5%, owning 8,439 shares worth approximately $713,000 after acquiring 126 additional shares.

Other noteworthy changes include Taylor & Morgan Wealth Management LLC, which lifted its holdings by 1.7%, bringing their total to 7,744 shares valued at $655,000. Osborne Partners Capital Management LLC and Boston Trust Walden Corp also increased their positions by 1.2% and 0.4%, respectively. With 78.72% of the shares owned by institutional investors, NextEra Energy appears to be a favored investment among larger funds.

Stock Performance Overview

The shares of NextEra Energy opened at $68.24 recently. The company has financial ratios indicating moderate liquidity, with a current ratio of 0.47 and a quick ratio of 0.38. The debt-to-equity ratio stands at 1.20, illustrating some financial leverage. Notably, the stock has witnessed fluctuations over the past year, with a 12-month low of $53.95 and a high of $86.10. Its market capitalization is estimated at $140.33 billion, accompanied by a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.25 and a beta of 0.58, hinting at less volatility compared to the overall market.

Latest Earnings Results

NextEra Energy recently released its earnings report, stating that it achieved earnings per share (EPS) of $0.53 for the last quarter, which meets analysts’ expectations. With a return on equity of 11.85% and a net margin of 28.06%, the company has shown solid financial performance. Current forecasts suggest that NextEra Energy will post an EPS of 3.68 for the ongoing fiscal year.

Analysts Update Price Targets

Various research analysts have offered updated price targets for NextEra Energy. Morgan Stanley, for instance, has increased its target price from $93.00 to $94.00, maintaining an “overweight” rating. Scotiabank has also raised its target from $92.00 to $96.00 with a “sector outperform” rating. Other firms like Barclays, Guggenheim, and Evercore ISI have adjusted their targets as well, showcasing a generally positive outlook on the company's performance. While eight analysts recommended holding the stock, seven others provided a buy rating, indicating a mixed but optimistic view on its future performance.

Insider Activity at NextEra Energy

In recent insider activity, Executive Vice President Nicole J. Daggs sold 4,007 shares of the company's stock, with the sale taking place on November 12 at an average price of $75.57, totaling nearly $302,809. Post-sale, she still holds 15,792 shares valued at around $1.19 million. Insider ownership currently represents 0.18% of the total stock, highlighting a limited degree of insider trading.

About NextEra Energy

NextEra Energy, Inc. generates, transmits, and distributes electric power mainly within North America through its subsidiaries. The company focuses on renewable energy production, including wind and solar, while also managing nuclear and natural gas resources. Additionally, NextEra Energy undertakes the development and operation of clean energy projects, including battery storage and transmission facilities.

Investment, Stock, Institutional