Essential Planning LLC. Makes New $272,000 Investment in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Essential Planning LLC. bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 4,440 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock, valued at approximately $272,000.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in National Fuel Gas in the fourth quarter worth $9,067,000. Victory Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 2,584,155 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $156,807,000 after acquiring an additional 85,950 shares in the last quarter. Ibex Wealth Advisors bought a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter worth about $4,943,000. Barclays PLC lifted its position in National Fuel Gas by 243.7% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 102,672 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $6,223,000 after acquiring an additional 72,802 shares during the period. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its stake in National Fuel Gas by 33.3% during the third 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. 73.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

National Fuel Gas Stock Up 2.5 %

Shares of NYSE NFG traded up $1.83 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $76.49. The stock had a trading volume of 525,389 shares, compared to its average volume of 506,267. The business's 50 day moving average is $70.33 and its 200-day moving average is $64.19. National Fuel Gas has a 52 week low of $50.72 and a 52 week high of $76.70. The company has a quick ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. The company has a market cap of $6.93 billion, a P/E ratio of -546.32 and a beta of 0.57.

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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 (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.44 by $0.22. National Fuel Gas had a positive return on equity of 15.96% and a negative net margin of 0.53%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.46 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 EPS for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Investors of record on Monday, March 31st will be issued a $0.515 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 31st. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.69%. National Fuel Gas's payout ratio is -1,471.43%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on NFG shares. Argus raised shares of National Fuel Gas to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, StockNews.com raised National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $74.67.

About National Fuel Gas

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.