Entropy Technologies LP Purchases New Position in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Entropy Technologies LP purchased a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 12,983 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock, valued at approximately $788,000.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of NFG. Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 44.2% in the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 2,498,205 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $151,416,000 after purchasing an additional 765,236 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in National Fuel Gas by 0.9% during the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 920,918 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $55,817,000 after acquiring an additional 7,830 shares during the last quarter. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. boosted its position in National Fuel Gas by 8.1% during the third quarter. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. now owns 325,966 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $19,757,000 after acquiring an additional 24,564 shares during the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its position in shares of National Fuel Gas by 33.3% in the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 220,869 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $13,386,000 after acquiring an additional 55,152 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisors L.P. lifted its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisors L.P. now owns 159,753 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $9,694,000 after purchasing an additional 792 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 73.96% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently commented on NFG shares. StockNews.com raised National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of National Fuel Gas from $65.00 to $64.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 12th. Argus upgraded shares of National Fuel Gas to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. Finally, Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of National Fuel Gas in a research note on Monday, October 28th. They issued an "underperform" rating and a $62.00 price target for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, National Fuel Gas currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $69.00.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other National Fuel Gas news, insider Justin I. Loweth sold 19,532 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.27, for a total value of $1,216,257.64. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 41,841 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,605,439.07. This trade represents a 31.83 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Donna L. Decarolis sold 10,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.58, for a total value of $625,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 81,519 shares in the company, valued at $5,101,459.02. The trade was a 10.93 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 1.41% of the company's stock.

National Fuel Gas Stock Down 0.1 %

Shares of NYSE:NFG traded down $0.04 during trading on Friday, reaching $72.17. 458,228 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 712,072. National Fuel Gas has a 1-year low of $46.91 and a 1-year high of $73.13. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $65.33 and a two-hundred day moving average of $62.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.39 and a quick ratio of 0.33. The firm has a market cap of $6.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -515.47 and a beta of 0.64.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.44 by $0.22. National Fuel Gas had a negative net margin of 0.53% and a positive return on equity of 15.96%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.46 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st were paid a dividend of $0.515 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 31st. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.85%. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -1,471.32%.

National Fuel Gas Company Profile

National Fuel Gas Company operates as a diversified energy company. It operates through four segments: Exploration and Production, Pipeline and Storage, Gathering, and Utility. The Exploration and Production segment explores for, develops, and produces natural gas and oil. The Pipeline and Storage segment provides interstate natural gas transportation services through an integrated gas pipeline system in Pennsylvania and New York; and owns and operates underground natural gas storage fields.