Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC Buys 119,319 Shares of Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET)

Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC lifted its position in Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET - Free Report) by 6.5% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,953,355 shares of the pipeline company's stock after acquiring an additional 119,319 shares during the quarter. Energy Transfer makes up about 0.8% of Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC's holdings, making the stock its 23rd biggest holding. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC owned 0.06% of Energy Transfer worth $38,266,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ET. Nicholas Hoffman & Company LLC. acquired a new stake in Energy Transfer during the 4th quarter worth about $429,000. Americana Partners LLC grew its position in Energy Transfer by 0.6% during the fourth quarter. Americana Partners LLC now owns 1,816,567 shares of the pipeline company's stock valued at $35,587,000 after purchasing an additional 10,751 shares in the last quarter. WBH Advisory Inc. acquired a new position in Energy Transfer in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $235,000. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Energy Transfer by 5.7% during the 4th quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 88,639 shares of the pipeline company's stock valued at $1,736,000 after buying an additional 4,815 shares during the period. Finally, Lee Financial Co boosted its stake in shares of Energy Transfer by 0.9% during the 4th quarter. Lee Financial Co now owns 192,961 shares of the pipeline company's stock valued at $3,780,000 after buying an additional 1,657 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 38.22% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently issued reports on ET shares. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on Energy Transfer from $21.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on Energy Transfer from $17.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday, December 19th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Energy Transfer from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 18th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on Energy Transfer from $20.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, December 9th. Finally, Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Energy Transfer from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, January 13th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Energy Transfer presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $21.18.

Energy Transfer Stock Performance

ET stock traded down $0.15 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $19.98. 13,835,051 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 16,848,430. Energy Transfer LP has a twelve month low of $14.52 and a twelve month high of $21.45. The stock has a market capitalization of $68.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.69. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $19.85 and a 200-day simple moving average of $17.86.

Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The pipeline company reported $0.29 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.35 by ($0.06). Energy Transfer had a return on equity of 11.66% and a net margin of 5.74%. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Energy Transfer LP will post 1.46 earnings per share for the current year.

Energy Transfer Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 19th. Investors of record on Friday, February 7th were given a dividend of $0.325 per share. This represents a $1.30 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.51%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 7th. This is a boost from Energy Transfer's previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. Energy Transfer's payout ratio is currently 101.56%.

About Energy Transfer

Energy Transfer LP provides energy-related services. The company owns and operates natural gas transportation pipeline, and natural gas storage facilities in Texas and Oklahoma; and approximately 20,090 miles of interstate natural gas pipeline. It also sells natural gas to electric utilities, independent power plants, local distribution and other marketing companies, and industrial end-users.