Southwest Gas (NYSE:SWX) Announces Quarterly Earnings Results

Southwest Gas (NYSE:SWX) issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The utilities provider reported $1.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.21 by $0.18, Zacks reports. Southwest Gas had a net margin of 3.44% and a return on equity of 5.99%.

Southwest Gas Stock Down 2.6 %

NYSE:SWX traded down $2.01 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $75.27. 50,806 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 341,232. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21. The company has a market cap of $5.40 billion, a PE ratio of 30.35, a PEG ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 0.44. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $73.12 and its 200-day simple moving average is $73.63. Southwest Gas has a one year low of $61.37 and a one year high of $80.29.

Southwest Gas Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 2nd. Investors of record on Thursday, May 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.62 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 15th. This represents a $2.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.29%. Southwest Gas’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 100.00%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on Southwest Gas in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. They set a “hold” rating and a $73.00 price objective on the stock. Bank of America reiterated an “underperform” rating and issued a $73.00 price target on shares of Southwest Gas in a research note on Friday, December 13th. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded Southwest Gas to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on Southwest Gas from $76.00 to $72.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $73.80.

Southwest Gas Company Profile

Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc, through its subsidiaries, distributes and transports natural gas in Arizona, Nevada, and California. The company operates through Natural Gas Distribution, Utility Infrastructure Services, and Pipeline and Storage segments. It also provides trenching, installation, and replacement of underground pipes, as well as maintenance services for energy distribution systems.