Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET) Trading 0.6% Higher - Still a Buy?

Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET - Get Free Report) traded up 0.6% on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $18.70 and last traded at $18.71. 2,850,323 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 82% from the average session volume of 16,219,917 shares. The stock had previously closed at $18.59.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently commented on ET. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an "outperform" rating and set a $23.00 price target on shares of Energy Transfer in a research note on Tuesday, March 25th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on Energy Transfer from $17.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, December 19th. Citigroup reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Energy Transfer in a research note on Monday, March 24th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on Energy Transfer from $21.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, UBS Group restated a "buy" rating on shares of Energy Transfer in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $22.09.

Energy Transfer Trading Down 6.5 %

The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $19.28 and a 200-day simple moving average of $18.43. The stock has a market capitalization of $60.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.83, a PEG ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42, a current ratio of 1.12 and a quick ratio of 0.88.

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

Energy Transfer Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 7th were given a dividend of $0.325 per share. This is an increase from Energy Transfer's previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 7th. This represents a $1.30 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.34%. Energy Transfer's dividend payout ratio is currently 101.56%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Energy Transfer

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