Mon Dec 02 13:40:00 UTC 2024: ## Institutional Investors Adjust Stakes in CenterPoint Energy (CNP) Amidst Mixed Analyst Ratings

**New York, NY –** CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) saw significant activity in its stock holdings during recent quarters, with several institutional investors adjusting their positions. Lavaca Capital LLC, for example, acquired a new stake of 70,000 shares, valued at approximately $2.06 million, representing 0.9% of its portfolio. This follows a trend of increased institutional interest, as several other firms significantly boosted their holdings. Barrow Hanley Mewhinney & Strauss LLC increased its stake by 46.6%, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans by 1.3%, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. by 2.9%, UBS AM by 2.1%, and Dimensional Fund Advisors LP by 8.3%. Overall, hedge funds and institutional investors own 91.77% of CNP.

Despite the increased institutional investment, analyst sentiment on CenterPoint Energy remains mixed. While some firms, such as Scotiabank and Wells Fargo, raised their price targets, others, like StockNews.com, downgraded the stock. Currently, the consensus rating among analysts is a “Hold,” with an average price target of $30.00.

CenterPoint Energy’s stock price closed at $32.62 on Friday, down $0.04, with trading volume exceeding 1.8 million shares. The company recently reported Q3 earnings per share (EPS) of $0.31, meeting analyst expectations, and announced a dividend increase to $0.21 per share. The company operates in the electric and natural gas sectors.

However, MarketBeat highlights that despite the recent activity, CenterPoint Energy was not included in their list of top-rated stocks recommended by leading analysts. This suggests that while institutional investors are actively involved, some analysts believe other companies present better investment opportunities.

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