Empowered Funds LLC Acquires Shares of 21,062 National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Empowered Funds LLC bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 21,062 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock, valued at approximately $1,277,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of NFG. Energy Income Partners LLC raised its position in shares of National Fuel Gas by 2.4% during the 1st quarter. Energy Income Partners LLC now owns 2,595,437 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $139,427,000 after buying an additional 62,009 shares during the period. Gabelli Funds LLC raised its position in National Fuel Gas by 1.0% in the second quarter. Gabelli Funds LLC now owns 2,533,482 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $137,289,000 after purchasing an additional 24,800 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 44.2% in the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 2,498,205 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $151,416,000 after purchasing an additional 765,236 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 0.3% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 1,274,893 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $69,086,000 after purchasing an additional 3,816 shares during the period. Finally, Equity Investment Corp grew its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. Equity Investment Corp now owns 1,246,822 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $67,565,000 after purchasing an additional 4,636 shares during the period. 73.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other National Fuel Gas news, General Counsel Michael W. Reville sold 1,700 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.77, for a total transaction of $103,309.00. Following the sale, the general counsel now owns 8,203 shares in the company, valued at $498,496.31. This represents a 17.17 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 1.55% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have commented on the stock. Scotiabank upped their target price on shares of National Fuel Gas from $80.00 to $81.00 and gave the company a "sector outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of National Fuel Gas from $65.00 to $64.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 12th. Bank of America began coverage on shares of National Fuel Gas in a research report on Monday, October 28th. They set an "underperform" rating and a $62.00 price objective for the company. StockNews.com raised National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday. Finally, Argus upgraded National Fuel Gas to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, National Fuel Gas presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $69.00.

National Fuel Gas Trading Up 1.1 %

NYSE:NFG traded up $0.72 on Friday, reaching $64.23. 735,396 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 484,629. The business has a fifty day moving average of $61.02 and a 200-day moving average of $58.46. The company has a quick ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77. National Fuel Gas has a 52-week low of $45.32 and a 52-week high of $64.30. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 79.30 and a beta of 0.62.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 30th were issued a dividend of $0.515 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 30th. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.21%. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 254.32%.

About National Fuel Gas

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.