Nexstar Media Group (NASDAQ:NXST) Price Target Raised to $225.00

Nexstar Media Group (NASDAQ:NXST – Free Report) had its price target increased by Citigroup from $215.00 to $225.00 in a report released on Monday,Benzinga reports. They currently have a buy rating on the stock.

A number of other research firms also recently weighed in on NXST. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Nexstar Media Group from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Monday, August 10th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Nexstar Media Group in a research note on Monday, August 24th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of Nexstar Media Group from $249.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, November 6th. Deutsche Bank lowered their price target on Nexstar Media Group from $255.00 to $240.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 10th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Nexstar Media Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, November 7th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $257.50.

Get Our Latest Report on Nexstar Media Group

Nexstar Media Group Price Performance

Shares of NXST opened at $209.74 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $6.46 billion, a PE ratio of 19.08 and a beta of 0.97. Nexstar Media Group has a 52-week low of $153.17 and a 52-week high of $254.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.43, a quick ratio of 1.26 and a current ratio of 1.26. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $169.29 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $191.62.

Nexstar Media Group (NASDAQ:NXST – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 5th. The company reported $7.92 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $8.08 by ($0.16). The company had revenue of $2.13 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.07 billion. Nexstar Media Group had a net margin of 5.48% and a return on equity of 32.25%. The business’s revenue was up 78.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.14 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Nexstar Media Group will post 33.33 EPS for the current year.

Nexstar Media Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 27th. Investors of record on Friday, November 13th will be issued a dividend of $1.86 per share. This represents a $7.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.5%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 13th. Nexstar Media Group’s dividend payout ratio is presently 67.70%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, COO Michael Biard sold 2,465 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $185.82, for a total value of $458,046.30. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer directly owned 20,890 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,881,779.80. This represents a 10.55% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Also, Director Bernadette Aulestia sold 300 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $186.80, for a total transaction of $56,040.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 4,383 shares in the company, valued at approximately $818,744.40. This trade represents a 6.41% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 9,596 shares of company stock worth $1,733,169. 7.00% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Nexstar Media Group

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Advisors Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Nexstar Media Group during the third quarter worth about $47,578,000. Boston Partners grew its stake in Nexstar Media Group by 480.4% during the 3rd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 174,435 shares of the company’s stock worth $28,109,000 after purchasing an additional 144,382 shares in the last quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in Nexstar Media Group by 4.5% during the 3rd quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC now owns 3,139 shares of the company’s stock worth $507,000 after acquiring an additional 136 shares in the last quarter. Paralel Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Nexstar Media Group by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter. Paralel Advisors LLC now owns 12,937 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,090,000 after acquiring an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Croban lifted its holdings in shares of Nexstar Media Group by 5.5% in the 3rd quarter. Croban now owns 4,621 shares of the company’s stock valued at $747,000 after purchasing an additional 239 shares during the last quarter. 95.30% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Nexstar Media Group

(Get Free Report)

Nexstar Media Group is a U.S. media company focused on local television broadcasting and national programming. It owns and operates local television stations across the country, many affiliated with major broadcast networks, and produces local news, sports, and other programming for viewers in their communities. The company also operates NewsNation, a national news and entertainment network, and holds a majority interest in The CW. Its digital businesses distribute news and other content online, while advertising and fees for carrying its stations and networks are among its business activities.

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Analyst Recommendations for Nexstar Media Group (NASDAQ:NXST)

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