Shares of Middlesex Water Company (NASDAQ:MSEX – Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday. The stock traded as high as $60.16 and last traded at $60.8250, with a volume of 10,847 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $59.20.
More Middlesex Water News
Here are the key news stories impacting Middlesex Water this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Huntington reiterated a “Strong-Buy” view and forecast earnings per share of $2.82 in 2026, $2.80 in 2027 and $2.92 in 2028. The 2028 estimate suggests a return to earnings growth, though the forecasts are not a sharp near-term upgrade. Middlesex Water analyst estimates
- Neutral Sentiment: Zacks Research began coverage with a “Hold” rating, indicating a wait-and-see stance rather than a clear catalyst for buying or selling. Zacks Research ratings
- Negative Sentiment: A valuation-focused article argues MSEX could be about 45% above fair value despite earnings and dividend increases, raising the risk that its recent strength has left limited upside. This may temper the impact of positive earnings expectations. Middlesex Water valuation article
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In
Several brokerages recently issued reports on MSEX. Freedom Broker increased their price objective on Middlesex Water from $56.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, November 2nd. Robert W. Baird set a $66.00 price objective on Middlesex Water in a research note on Friday, July 31st. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Middlesex Water from a “hold (c)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Monday, October 12th. Huntington started coverage on shares of Middlesex Water in a research note on Sunday, November 1st. They set a “strong-buy” rating on the stock. Finally, Zacks Research began coverage on shares of Middlesex Water in a research report on Wednesday. They issued a “hold” rating for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $60.75.
Get Our Latest Research Report on MSEX
Middlesex Water Trading Up 0.6%
The business’s 50-day moving average price is $55.54 and its 200 day moving average price is $54.32. The company has a market cap of $1.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.61 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 0.51.
Middlesex Water (NASDAQ:MSEX – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 29th. The utilities provider reported $0.95 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.82 by $0.13. Middlesex Water had a net margin of 24.50% and a return on equity of 10.08%. The company had revenue of $60.21 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $59.90 million. As a group, analysts expect that Middlesex Water Company will post 2.82 earnings per share for the current year.
Middlesex Water Increases Dividend
The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 16th will be given a $0.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 16th. This represents a $1.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.5%. This is a boost from Middlesex Water’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.36. Middlesex Water’s payout ratio is currently 51.99%.
Hedge Funds Weigh In On Middlesex Water
Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Fifth Third Bancorp grew its holdings in Middlesex Water by 4.2% during the 3rd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 4,235 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $224,000 after purchasing an additional 170 shares in the last quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System acquired a new stake in shares of Middlesex Water in the third quarter worth $218,000. Jacobi Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Middlesex Water in the third quarter valued at about $32,000. Penn Capital Management Company LLC boosted its holdings in Middlesex Water by 2.4% during the third quarter. Penn Capital Management Company LLC now owns 55,585 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $2,944,000 after buying an additional 1,277 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ethic Inc. grew its position in Middlesex Water by 5.7% in the third quarter. Ethic Inc. now owns 4,315 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $229,000 after purchasing an additional 233 shares in the last quarter. 79.52% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Middlesex Water Company Profile
Middlesex Water Company (NASDAQ:MSEX) is a regulated water and wastewater utility that owns and operates systems serving residential, commercial, industrial and municipal customers. Its services include the production, treatment, distribution and sale of potable water, as well as wastewater collection and treatment.
Founded in 1897, the company primarily serves communities in New Jersey and Delaware through its regulated utility operations. Its New Jersey service area includes portions of Middlesex, Union, Somerset and Mercer counties, while its Delaware operations serve customers through the Tidewater Utilities subsidiary.
Middlesex Water also provides contract operations, maintenance and related services for municipal and other public water and wastewater systems.
Featured Stories
- Five stocks we like better than Middlesex Water
- Sandisk Shares Are Oversold: Bargain or Value Trap?
- IonQ’s Record Revenue Includes a Big SkyWater Boost: Does That Change the Story?
- Airbnb Defied a Brutal Tech Sell-Off, But Can Its Post-Earnings Rally Last?
- MarketBeat Week in Review – 11/2 – 11/6
Receive News & Ratings for Middlesex Water Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Middlesex Water and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
