American Century Companies Inc. Increases Stake in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

American Century Companies Inc. raised its stake in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 9.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 42,719 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after acquiring an additional 3,587 shares during the quarter. American Century Companies Inc.'s holdings in National Fuel Gas were worth $2,592,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. UMB Bank n.a. increased its position in shares of National Fuel Gas by 82.9% in the 4th quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 481 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 218 shares in the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC boosted its position in National Fuel Gas by 49.5% during the fourth quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 722 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 239 shares during the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 5.0% in the fourth quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 5,906 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $358,000 after buying an additional 280 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 42.7% in the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 993 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $60,000 after purchasing an additional 297 shares during the period. Finally, Fifth Third Bancorp raised its stake in National Fuel Gas by 5.8% in the fourth quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 5,894 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $358,000 after buying an additional 322 shares during the period. 73.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

NFG has been the topic of several research reports. StockNews.com downgraded National Fuel Gas from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Monday, April 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 13th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $74.67.

National Fuel Gas Stock Up 3.3 %

NYSE NFG traded up $2.47 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $76.41. The company's stock had a trading volume of 796,803 shares, compared to its average volume of 548,470. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -545.72 and a beta of 0.61. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $75.01 and its 200 day simple moving average is $66.91. National Fuel Gas has a twelve month low of $51.46 and a twelve month high of $80.14. The company has a current ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80.

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 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.44 by $0.22. National Fuel Gas had a negative net margin of 0.53% and a positive return on equity of 15.96%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.46 EPS. Analysts anticipate that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 31st will be given a $0.515 dividend. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.70%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 31st. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -1,471.43%.

National Fuel Gas Company 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.