Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET) Shares Down 0.2% - Should You Sell?

Shares of Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET - Get Free Report) were down 0.2% on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $18.40 and last traded at $18.67. Approximately 4,052,663 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 70% from the average daily volume of 13,620,939 shares. The stock had previously closed at $18.70.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. UBS Group boosted their price target on Energy Transfer from $22.00 to $23.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, September 18th. Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of Energy Transfer in a report on Thursday, October 17th. They set a "buy" rating and a $20.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Energy Transfer from $20.00 to $23.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, December 9th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $20.38.

Energy Transfer Stock Performance

The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $17.68 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $16.59. The company has a current ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. The stock has a market capitalization of $63.79 billion, a PE ratio of 13.70, a PEG ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 1.70.

Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 6th. The pipeline company reported $0.32 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.32. The firm had revenue of $20.77 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.59 billion. Energy Transfer had a net margin of 5.90% and a return on equity of 12.38%. The company's revenue for the quarter was up .2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.31 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Energy Transfer LP will post 1.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Energy Transfer Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, November 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 8th were issued a dividend of $0.3225 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 8th. This represents a $1.29 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.92%. Energy Transfer's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 94.85%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of ET. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its stake in shares of Energy Transfer by 15.0% in the third quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 346,825 shares of the pipeline company's stock valued at $5,567,000 after buying an additional 45,172 shares during the period. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Energy Transfer by 30.9% in the 3rd quarter. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC now owns 242,042 shares of the pipeline company's stock worth $3,885,000 after acquiring an additional 57,184 shares during the period. FMR LLC grew its holdings in shares of Energy Transfer by 44.0% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 33,379,297 shares of the pipeline company's stock worth $535,738,000 after purchasing an additional 10,195,768 shares in the last quarter. Clear Street Derivatives LLC bought a new stake in shares of Energy Transfer during the third quarter valued at approximately $2,565,000. Finally, GFS Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Energy Transfer by 19,380.5% in the third quarter. GFS Advisors LLC now owns 60,000 shares of the pipeline company's stock valued at $963,000 after purchasing an additional 59,692 shares in the last quarter. 38.22% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.