Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) Holdings Lowered by Tortoise Capital Advisors L.L.C.

Tortoise Capital Advisors L.L.C. lowered its position in shares of Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET - Free Report) by 0.2% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 37,253,839 shares of the pipeline company's stock after selling 88,361 shares during the quarter. Energy Transfer accounts for about 9.3% of Tortoise Capital Advisors L.L.C.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 2nd biggest holding. Tortoise Capital Advisors L.L.C. owned about 1.09% of Energy Transfer worth $729,803,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Tradition Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Energy Transfer by 5.8% in the 4th quarter. Tradition Wealth Management LLC now owns 29,573 shares of the pipeline company's stock valued at $579,000 after purchasing an additional 1,611 shares during the period. Transce3nd LLC acquired a new stake in Energy Transfer in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,079,000. MML Investors Services LLC lifted its stake in Energy Transfer by 13.7% in the 4th quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 125,086 shares of the pipeline company's stock valued at $2,450,000 after acquiring an additional 15,102 shares in the last quarter. Natixis boosted its position in Energy Transfer by 7.1% during the 4th quarter. Natixis now owns 14,619,124 shares of the pipeline company's stock worth $286,389,000 after acquiring an additional 962,800 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Curi RMB Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of Energy Transfer by 3.8% during the 4th quarter. Curi RMB Capital LLC now owns 46,634 shares of the pipeline company's stock worth $914,000 after acquiring an additional 1,704 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 38.22% of the company's stock.

Energy Transfer Price Performance

Shares of ET traded up $0.13 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $17.11. 13,996,014 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 15,207,326. The company has a current ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $18.12 and its 200-day simple moving average is $18.46. The stock has a market cap of $58.71 billion, a PE ratio of 13.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.32. Energy Transfer LP has a 12 month low of $14.60 and a 12 month high of $21.45.

Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The pipeline company reported $0.29 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.35 by ($0.06). Energy Transfer had a return on equity of 11.56% and a net margin of 5.74%. Equities analysts expect that Energy Transfer LP will post 1.46 EPS for the current year.

Energy Transfer Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 19th. Investors of record on Friday, February 7th were paid a $0.325 dividend. This represents a $1.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.60%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 7th. This is a boost from Energy Transfer's previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. Energy Transfer's dividend payout ratio is currently 101.56%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently issued reports on ET. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $23.00 target price on shares of Energy Transfer in a report on Tuesday, March 25th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on Energy Transfer from $20.00 to $26.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, March 25th. UBS Group restated a "buy" rating on shares of Energy Transfer in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on shares of Energy Transfer from $21.00 to $23.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Barclays upped their target price on Energy Transfer from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, January 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Energy Transfer currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $22.09.

Energy Transfer Profile

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.