Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) Receives Average Recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from Analysts

Shares of Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET - Get Free Report) have received a consensus recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the eleven analysts that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and ten have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $22.09.

Several research analysts recently weighed in on ET shares. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Energy Transfer from $20.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, March 25th. Barclays upped their target price on Energy Transfer from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, January 13th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $23.00 price target on shares of Energy Transfer in a research report on Tuesday, March 25th. Citigroup restated a "buy" rating on shares of Energy Transfer in a research note on Monday, March 24th. Finally, UBS Group reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Energy Transfer in a research note on Tuesday, March 4th.

Energy Transfer Stock Down 1.4 %

NYSE ET traded down $0.24 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $17.04. The company's stock had a trading volume of 10,838,630 shares, compared to its average volume of 15,245,445. 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 company's 50 day simple moving average is $17.90 and its 200 day simple moving average is $18.51. Energy Transfer has a twelve month low of $14.60 and a twelve month high of $21.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $58.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.31, a PEG ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.32.

Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The pipeline company reported $0.29 earnings per share 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%. Analysts anticipate that Energy Transfer will post 1.46 earnings per share for the current year.

Energy Transfer Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 9th will be paid a $0.3275 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 9th. This represents a $1.31 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.69%. This is an increase from Energy Transfer's previous quarterly dividend of $0.33. Energy Transfer's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 102.34%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Energy Transfer

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Energy Transfer by 4.2% during the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 126,331 shares of the pipeline company's stock valued at $2,028,000 after purchasing an additional 5,127 shares during the last quarter. World Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in Energy Transfer by 4.6% during the third quarter. World Investment Advisors LLC now owns 78,806 shares of the pipeline company's stock valued at $1,265,000 after acquiring an additional 3,485 shares during the last quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB raised its stake in shares of Energy Transfer by 1,265.0% during the third quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB now owns 231,398 shares of the pipeline company's stock worth $3,714,000 after acquiring an additional 214,446 shares in the last quarter. Tidal Investments LLC boosted its stake in shares of Energy Transfer by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 101,738 shares of the pipeline company's stock valued at $1,633,000 after purchasing an additional 1,248 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Synovus Financial Corp grew its holdings in shares of Energy Transfer by 69.8% during the 3rd quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 84,530 shares of the pipeline company's stock valued at $1,357,000 after purchasing an additional 34,749 shares during the last quarter. 38.22% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.