Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET) Shares Down 5.1% - What's Next?

Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET - Get Free Report)'s stock price fell 5.1% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as $17.71 and last traded at $17.97. 13,085,045 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 10% from the average session volume of 14,571,718 shares. The stock had previously closed at $18.93.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on ET shares. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $23.00 target price on shares of Energy Transfer in a report on Tuesday, March 25th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on Energy Transfer from $21.00 to $23.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Energy Transfer from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, January 13th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective 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. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Energy Transfer from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, December 18th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $22.09.

Energy Transfer Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42, a current ratio of 1.12 and a quick ratio of 0.88. The stock has a market cap of $55.07 billion, a PE ratio of 12.59, a PEG ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.32. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $18.90 and a 200-day simple moving average of $18.43.

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

Energy Transfer Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 7th were paid a dividend of $0.325 per share. This represents a $1.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.10%. This is a positive change from Energy Transfer's previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 7th. Energy Transfer's payout ratio is presently 101.56%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of ET. NBC Securities Inc. lifted its stake in Energy Transfer by 98,840.0% in the first quarter. NBC Securities Inc. now owns 59,364 shares of the pipeline company's stock valued at $1,103,000 after acquiring an additional 59,304 shares during the last quarter. Fiduciary Alliance LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Energy Transfer during the first quarter worth approximately $668,000. Abner Herrman & Brock LLC bought a new position in shares of Energy Transfer in the first quarter worth about $186,000. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Energy Transfer during the 1st quarter valued at about $385,000. Finally, Asset Allocation & Management Company LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Energy Transfer in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $186,000. Institutional investors own 38.22% of the company's stock.

Energy Transfer Company 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.