Barclays PLC Raises Stock Position in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Barclays PLC lifted its position in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 243.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 102,672 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after acquiring an additional 72,802 shares during the quarter. Barclays PLC owned 0.11% of National Fuel Gas worth $6,223,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in NFG. SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas in the 2nd quarter valued at about $221,000. Blue Trust Inc. raised its stake in National Fuel Gas by 331.6% in the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,161 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $62,000 after buying an additional 892 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James & Associates lifted its holdings in National Fuel Gas by 3.4% during the second quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 71,036 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $3,849,000 after buying an additional 2,320 shares during the period. Sterling Investment Counsel LLC bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the 2nd quarter valued at $342,000. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 0.3% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 1,274,893 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $69,086,000 after acquiring an additional 3,816 shares during the period. 73.96% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity at National Fuel Gas

In other news, insider Justin I. Loweth sold 19,532 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.27, for a total value of $1,216,257.64. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 41,841 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,605,439.07. This represents a 31.83 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, General Counsel Michael W. Reville sold 1,700 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.77, for a total value of $103,309.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the general counsel now owns 8,203 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $498,496.31. The trade was a 17.17 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 31,232 shares of company stock valued at $1,945,367 in the last three months. 1.55% of the stock is owned by insiders.

National Fuel Gas Stock Up 1.0 %

NYSE:NFG traded up $0.60 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $59.93. 1,881,063 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 523,486. The company has a fifty day moving average of $61.60 and a 200 day moving average of $59.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.25 and a current ratio of 0.32. National Fuel Gas has a twelve month low of $45.32 and a twelve month high of $65.06. The company has a market capitalization of $5.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 73.99 and a beta of 0.63.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 31st will be given a $0.515 dividend. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.44%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 31st. National Fuel Gas's payout ratio is currently 254.32%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on NFG shares. Bank of America initiated coverage on National Fuel Gas in a research note on Monday, October 28th. They set an "underperform" rating and a $62.00 price objective for the company. StockNews.com raised shares of National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on shares of National Fuel Gas from $65.00 to $64.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th. Finally, Argus raised shares of National Fuel Gas to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $69.00.

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.