Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET) Trading 0.7% Higher - Still a Buy?

Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET - Get Free Report)'s share price rose 0.7% on Monday . The company traded as high as $19.51 and last traded at $19.43. Approximately 2,531,215 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 85% from the average daily volume of 16,620,326 shares. The stock had previously closed at $19.29.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ET has been the subject of several recent research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on shares of Energy Transfer from $17.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, December 19th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on Energy Transfer from $20.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, December 9th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Energy Transfer from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, December 18th. Citigroup upped their price target on Energy Transfer from $20.00 to $22.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 25th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on Energy Transfer from $21.00 to $23.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Energy Transfer presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $21.55.

Energy Transfer Stock Down 1.3 %

The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $19.92 and a 200 day moving average price of $18.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 1.12. The company has a market capitalization of $65.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.88, a PEG ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.69.

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

Energy Transfer Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 7th were issued a dividend of $0.325 per share. This represents a $1.30 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.83%. This is a positive change from Energy Transfer's previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 7th. Energy Transfer's dividend payout ratio is 101.56%.

Institutional Trading of Energy Transfer

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in ET. Stonegate Investment Group LLC increased its holdings in Energy Transfer by 1.4% in the 4th quarter. Stonegate Investment Group LLC now owns 34,320 shares of the pipeline company's stock worth $672,000 after acquiring an additional 482 shares during the last quarter. Private Client Services LLC boosted its position in Energy Transfer by 3.1% during the fourth quarter. Private Client Services LLC now owns 16,915 shares of the pipeline company's stock worth $331,000 after purchasing an additional 511 shares during the period. United Advisor Group LLC increased its stake in shares of Energy Transfer by 3.0% in the fourth quarter. United Advisor Group LLC now owns 18,540 shares of the pipeline company's stock worth $363,000 after purchasing an additional 534 shares in the last quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Energy Transfer by 0.4% in the fourth quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC now owns 130,202 shares of the pipeline company's stock valued at $2,551,000 after purchasing an additional 535 shares during the period. Finally, Cannell & Spears LLC lifted its stake in shares of Energy Transfer by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Cannell & Spears LLC now owns 135,647 shares of the pipeline company's stock valued at $2,657,000 after buying an additional 546 shares in the last quarter. 38.22% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.

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