NWE (NorthWestern Energy Group) Moat Score: 6/10 (As of Aug. 21, 2026)

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NWE NorthWestern Energy Group Inc NWE
76 GF Score
Price $70.81
GF Value $61.96
Valuation Modestly Overvalued
! 12 Warning Signs
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What is NorthWestern Energy Group Moat Score?

NorthWestern Energy Group NWE +0.27% 76 Moat Score is 6 as of Aug. 21, 2026. GuruFocus rates NWE with a GF Score™ of 76/100 and a GF Value™ of $61.96 (Modestly Overvalued). The stock has 12 warning signs investors should review. Among 541 Utilities - Regulated companies, NorthWestern Energy Group ranks better than 92.98% on this metric.

NorthWestern Energy Group has the Moat Score of 6, which implies that the company might have Narrow Moat - Strong narrow moat, clearly distinguishable but not wide.

NorthWestern Energy Group has Narrow Moat: NorthWestern Energy has a strong narrow moat due to its regulated utility operations, providing stable cash flows and significant regulatory barriers. While it benefits from a strong distribution network, it lacks significant innovation or brand strength.

Moat Score is a ranking system developed by GuruFocus to assess a company's ability to sustain a competitive advantage, rated on a scale from 0 to 10. It takes into account key factors such as market leadership, cost advantages, network effects, customer switching costs, and more.

The company's Moat Score is based on these criteria:

1. Market leadership and sustainable market share
2. Network effects and significant customer switching costs
3. Valuable intellectual property and patents
4. Strong brand strength and deep customer loyalty
5. Durable cost advantages (e.g., economies of scale, proprietary technology)
6. Significant regulatory barriers and exclusive licenses
7. Superior distribution network
8. Strong and sustainable pricing power
9. Consistent and impactful innovation and R&D capabilities

Based on the research, GuruFocus believes NorthWestern Energy Group might have Narrow Moat - Strong narrow moat, clearly distinguishable but not wide.

NorthWestern Energy Group  (NAS:NWE) Moat Score Explanation

The Moat Score ranges from 0 to 10, with 10 as the highest. GuruFocus divided Moat Score into following 8 categories:

Moat Score Moat Level
10Wide Moat - Exceptionally dominant and durable wide moat
8 - 9Wide Moat - Clear and robust wide moat
7Wide Moat - Entry-level wide moat, clearly possessing durable advantages
6Narrow Moat - Strong narrow moat, clearly distinguishable but not wide
5Narrow Moat - Solid narrow moat
4Narrow Moat - Discernible but modest moat
1 - 3No Moat - Very weak/transient advantages
0No Moat - No discernible moat

NorthWestern Energy Group Moat Score Related Terms

NWE vs MGEE, POR, TXNM: Moat Score Comparison

For the Utilities - Regulated Electric subindustry, NorthWestern Energy Group's Moat Score, along with its competitors' market caps and Moat Score data, can be viewed below:

* Competitive companies are chosen from companies within the same industry, with headquarter located in same country, with closest market capitalization; x-axis shows the market cap, and y-axis shows the term value; the bigger the dot, the larger the market cap. Note that "N/A" values will not show up in the chart.

NorthWestern Energy Group Moat Score vs Utilities - Regulated Industry

For the Utilities - Regulated industry and Utilities sector, NorthWestern Energy Group's Moat Score distribution charts can be found below:

* The bar in red indicates where NorthWestern Energy Group's Moat Score falls into.


NWE
76GF Score
NorthWestern Energy Group Inc NWE
Moat Score is just one metric. See GF Score™, valuation, warning signs, and more.
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Frequently Asked Questions Learn more about Moat Score →
What does a Moat Score of 6 mean?
NorthWestern Energy Group (NWE) has a Moat Score of 6 as of Aug. 21, 2026. Moat Score is a ranking system developed by GuruFocus to assess a company's ability to sustain a competitive advantage, rated on a scale from 0 to 10. It takes into account key factors such as market leadership, cost advantages, network effects, customer switching costs, and more. According to the industry distribution chart, NorthWestern Energy Group ranks #38 out of 541 companies in the Utilities - Regulated industry, placing it in the top 7%.
Is NorthWestern Energy Group's Moat Score too high?
NorthWestern Energy Group's current Moat Score is 6. Based on the distribution chart, NorthWestern Energy Group ranks #38 out of 541 companies in the Utilities - Regulated industry, which is in the top quartile — a strong position relative to peers. Overall, NorthWestern Energy Group has a GF Score™ of 76/100 and is considered Modestly Overvalued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does NorthWestern Energy Group's Moat Score compare to MGEE and POR?
According to the Utilities - Regulated industry distribution chart, NorthWestern Energy Group ranks #38 out of 541 companies for Moat Score. This places NorthWestern Energy Group in the top 7% of its industry — outperforming the majority of peers. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Moat Score for an Utilities - Regulated company?
A good Moat Score depends on the Utilities - Regulated industry context. However, Moat Score should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Moat Score mean?
A high Moat Score can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Moat Score is a ranking system developed by GuruFocus to assess a company's ability to sustain a competitive advantage, rated on a scale from 0 to 10. It takes into account key factors such as market leadership, cost advantages, network effects, customer switching costs, and more. NorthWestern Energy Group's current Moat Score is 6. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is NorthWestern Energy Group stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, NorthWestern Energy Group (NWE) is currently considered Modestly Overvalued. The stock's GF Value™ is $61.96, compared to a current price of $70.81 — trading 14.3% above its estimated fair value. The current Moat Score is 6. NorthWestern Energy Group's overall GF Score™ is 76/100 with 12 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Moat Score calculated?
Moat Score is calculated from a company's financial statements. For NorthWestern Energy Group (NWE), the current Moat Score is 6 as of Aug. 21, 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.

Is NorthWestern Energy Group (NWE) Overvalued in 2026?

Based on GuruFocus' analysis, NorthWestern Energy Group stock appears to be overvalued. The current stock price of $70.81 is trading 14.3% above its estimated GF Value™ of $61.96. GuruFocus considers NorthWestern Energy Group to be Modestly Overvalued.

Key valuation signals for NWE:

  • Moat Score: 6
  • GF Value™: $61.96 vs. price of $70.81 (14.3% above fair value)
  • GF Score™: 76/100 with 12 warning signs

No single metric tells the full story. See the NWE stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.

NorthWestern Energy Group Business Description

Address 3010 W. 69th Street, Sioux Falls, SD, USA, 57108
NorthWestern Energy Group Inc provides electricity and natural gas services in the Upper Midwest and Northwest of the U.S. in the states of Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Yellowstone National Park. The company's primary segments include Electric, which includes the generation, purchase, transmission, and distribution of electricity, and Natural Gas, which includes the production, purchase, transmission, storage, and distribution of natural gas. It uses thermal, wind, hydro, or renewable energy in varying quantities, depending on the location of the facilities, to generate power. The company derives the majority of its revenue from the Electric segment.
76GF Score

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Moat Score is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.

$70.81
Price
$61.96
GF Value