AlphaQuest LLC Increases Stock Position in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

AlphaQuest LLC lifted its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 1,014.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 31,795 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after acquiring an additional 28,942 shares during the period. AlphaQuest LLC's holdings in National Fuel Gas were worth $1,929,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Kentucky Trust Co bought a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas during the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in National Fuel Gas in the 3rd quarter valued at about $28,000. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its position in shares of National Fuel Gas by 82.9% during the 4th quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 481 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 218 shares in the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, S.A. Mason LLC bought a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $38,000. 73.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

National Fuel Gas Stock Performance

Shares of NFG stock traded up $0.99 on Thursday, hitting $74.65. 634,894 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 507,383. National Fuel Gas has a one year low of $50.44 and a one year high of $76.26. The firm's 50 day moving average is $70.06 and its two-hundred day moving average is $64.12. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.76 billion, a PE ratio of -533.19 and a beta of 0.57. The company has a current ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80.

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National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.44 by $0.22. National Fuel Gas had a positive return on equity of 15.96% and a negative net margin of 0.53%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.46 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 31st will be issued a $0.515 dividend. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.76%. National Fuel Gas's payout ratio is -1,471.43%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have weighed in on NFG shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday. Argus upgraded shares of National Fuel Gas to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $74.67.

National Fuel Gas Profile

National Fuel Gas Company operates as a diversified energy company. It operates through four segments: Exploration and Production, Pipeline and Storage, Gathering, and Utility. The Exploration and Production segment explores for, develops, and produces natural gas and oil. The Pipeline and Storage segment provides interstate natural gas transportation services through an integrated gas pipeline system in Pennsylvania and New York; and owns and operates underground natural gas storage fields.