Nexstar Media Group (NASDAQ:NXST) Sets New 1-Year Low – Time to Sell?

Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:NXST) reached a new 52-week low during trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $147.13 and last traded at $149.10, with a volume of 10839 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $149.56.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Guggenheim reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Nexstar Media Group in a research report on Wednesday, January 22nd. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Nexstar Media Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, November 8th. Benchmark reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $215.00 target price on shares of Nexstar Media Group in a research report on Friday, November 8th. Loop Capital downgraded shares of Nexstar Media Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $200.00 to $190.00 in a research note on Friday, November 8th. Finally, Barrington Research restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $200.00 price objective on shares of Nexstar Media Group in a report on Thursday, November 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $204.29.

Nexstar Media Group Stock Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $4.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.63, a PEG ratio of 0.45 and a beta of 1.45. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $155.22 and its 200-day moving average price is $163.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.98, a quick ratio of 1.68 and a current ratio of 1.68.

Nexstar Media Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 26th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 12th will be issued a dividend of $1.86 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 12th. This is a positive change from Nexstar Media Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.69. This represents a $7.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.99%. Nexstar Media Group’s payout ratio is presently 43.03%.

Insider Activity at Nexstar Media Group

In related news, CEO Perry A. Sook sold 35,205 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $162.13, for a total value of $5,707,786.65. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 674,694 shares in the company, valued at approximately $109,388,138.22. This represents a 4.96 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Bernadette S. Aulestia sold 500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $164.45, for a total transaction of $82,225.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 2,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $328,900. This trade represents a 20.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 127,493 shares of company stock worth $20,354,366. Company insiders own 6.30% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Creative Planning boosted its position in shares of Nexstar Media Group by 43.8% in the third quarter. Creative Planning now owns 6,925 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,145,000 after acquiring an additional 2,108 shares during the period. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in Nexstar Media Group by 47.6% in the 3rd quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,381 shares of the company’s stock worth $394,000 after purchasing an additional 768 shares in the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. boosted its holdings in Nexstar Media Group by 5.1% in the 3rd quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 19,018 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,164,000 after purchasing an additional 926 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its position in shares of Nexstar Media Group by 43.7% during the 3rd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 6,419 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,061,000 after purchasing an additional 1,951 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Integrated Advisors Network LLC acquired a new position in shares of Nexstar Media Group during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $220,000. 95.30% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Nexstar Media Group

Nexstar Media Group, Inc operates as a diversified media company that produces and distributes engaging local and national news, sports and entertainment content across the television and digital platforms in the United States. It owns, operates, programs, or provides sales and other services to various markets; and offers television programming services.