ELCO Management Co. LLC Trims Stock Holdings in Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG)

ELCO Management Co. LLC cut its holdings in Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG - Free Report) by 2.9% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 54,439 shares of the energy company's stock after selling 1,642 shares during the period. Cheniere Energy comprises approximately 6.2% of ELCO Management Co. LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its biggest holding. ELCO Management Co. LLC's holdings in Cheniere Energy were worth $11,697,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in LNG. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Cheniere Energy during the fourth quarter worth $629,197,000. Ninety One UK Ltd raised its holdings in shares of Cheniere Energy by 1,400.7% in the 4th quarter. Ninety One UK Ltd now owns 1,509,717 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $324,393,000 after purchasing an additional 1,409,116 shares during the period. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. raised its holdings in shares of Cheniere Energy by 61.2% in the 4th quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 1,664,439 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $357,638,000 after purchasing an additional 631,787 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in Cheniere Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $130,772,000. Finally, Proficio Capital Partners LLC grew its holdings in Cheniere Energy by 18,281.6% during the fourth quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC now owns 575,897 shares of the energy company's stock worth $123,743,000 after purchasing an additional 572,764 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 87.26% of the company's stock.

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Insider Transactions at Cheniere Energy

In other news, Director G Andrea Botta sold 9,000 shares of Cheniere Energy stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $219.51, for a total transaction of $1,975,590.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 33,934 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $7,448,852.34. This trade represents a 20.96 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.29% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently commented on LNG shares. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on Cheniere Energy from $237.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, February 21st. Argus initiated coverage on shares of Cheniere Energy in a research report on Tuesday, March 18th. They set a "buy" rating and a $255.00 price objective for the company. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Cheniere Energy from $195.00 to $255.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Cheniere Energy from $213.00 to $235.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 18th. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their price objective on Cheniere Energy from $242.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, January 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $239.79.

Cheniere Energy Price Performance

NYSE:LNG traded up $7.39 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $220.23. 2,731,654 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,881,872. The business has a 50 day moving average of $219.56 and a 200 day moving average of $213.47. Cheniere Energy, Inc. has a 1-year low of $152.88 and a 1-year high of $257.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.41, a current ratio of 1.07 and a quick ratio of 0.98. The company has a market capitalization of $49.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.48 and a beta of 0.67.

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

Cheniere Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced 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. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.91%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 7th. Cheniere Energy's payout ratio is 14.05%.

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.