ClearBridge Investments Ltd Raises Stock Holdings in Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG)

ClearBridge Investments Ltd increased its holdings in shares of Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG - Free Report) by 10.0% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 351,020 shares of the energy company's stock after purchasing an additional 31,914 shares during the quarter. Cheniere Energy accounts for 2.0% of ClearBridge Investments Ltd's portfolio, making the stock its 21st biggest holding. ClearBridge Investments Ltd owned about 0.16% of Cheniere Energy worth $75,424,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB lifted its stake in Cheniere Energy by 170.5% during the 4th quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 119 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 75 shares during the period. WR Wealth Planners LLC boosted its holdings in Cheniere Energy by 373.1% in the fourth quarter. WR Wealth Planners LLC now owns 123 shares of the energy company's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC bought a new stake in Cheniere Energy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Adirondack Trust Co. purchased a new stake in Cheniere Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $43,000. Finally, SBI Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new stake in Cheniere Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $46,000. 87.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director G Andrea Botta sold 9,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $219.51, for a total value of $1,975,590.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 33,934 shares of the company's stock, valued at $7,448,852.34. This represents a 20.96 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.29% of the company's stock.

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Cheniere Energy Stock Down 0.3 %

Shares of Cheniere Energy stock traded down $0.80 on Tuesday, reaching $230.60. The stock had a trading volume of 1,450,443 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,817,525. The stock has a market capitalization of $51.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.20 and a beta of 0.94. Cheniere Energy, Inc. has a 1 year low of $152.88 and a 1 year high of $257.65. The company has a quick ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.41. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $223.12 and a 200 day moving average price of $211.32.

Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 20th. The energy company reported $4.33 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.74 by $1.59. Cheniere Energy had a return on equity of 37.19% and a net margin of 20.71%. The company had revenue of $4.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.44 billion. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Cheniere Energy, Inc. will post 11.69 EPS for the current year.

Cheniere Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 21st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 7th were paid a dividend of $0.50 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 7th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.87%. Cheniere Energy's payout ratio is presently 14.05%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently commented on the company. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on Cheniere Energy from $237.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. UBS Group reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $277.00 price objective on shares of Cheniere Energy in a research note on Tuesday, March 18th. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Cheniere Energy from $202.00 to $253.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, January 16th. Argus initiated coverage on shares of Cheniere Energy in a research note on Tuesday, March 18th. They set a "buy" rating and a $255.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Cheniere Energy from $195.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $239.79.

Cheniere Energy Company Profile

Cheniere Energy, Inc, an energy infrastructure company, primarily engages in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) related businesses in the United States. It owns and operates the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana; and the Corpus Christi LNG terminal near Corpus Christi, Texas. The company also owns Creole Trail pipeline, a 94-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal with several interstate and intrastate pipelines; and operates Corpus Christi pipeline, a 21.5-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Corpus Christi LNG terminal with various interstate and intrastate natural gas pipelines.