Fortem Financial Group LLC Takes $914,000 Position in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Fortem Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 15,082 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock, valued at approximately $914,000.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in NFG. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new position in National Fuel Gas in the 3rd quarter worth about $28,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in National Fuel Gas in the 3rd quarter worth $35,000. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in shares of National Fuel Gas by 38.6% during the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 696 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 194 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Valley National Advisers Inc. bought a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the second quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.96% of the company's stock.

National Fuel Gas Stock Up 0.2 %

NFG stock traded up $0.15 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $61.63. 756,334 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 517,333. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $61.55 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $59.00. The company has a quick ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 75.90 and a beta of 0.63. National Fuel Gas has a 1 year low of $45.32 and a 1 year high of $65.06.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.515 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 31st. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.34%. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 254.32%.

Insider Activity at National Fuel Gas

In other news, insider Justin I. Loweth sold 19,532 shares of the stock in a transaction on 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 sale, the insider now owns 41,841 shares in the company, valued at $2,605,439.07. This represents a 31.83 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Donna L. Decarolis sold 10,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.58, for a total value of $625,800.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 81,519 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,101,459.02. This trade represents a 10.93 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 31,232 shares of company stock valued at $1,945,367 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 1.55% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have commented on NFG. Bank of America started coverage on shares of National Fuel Gas in a research report on Monday, October 28th. They set an "underperform" rating and a $62.00 price objective for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of National Fuel Gas from $65.00 to $64.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 12th. Argus raised shares of National Fuel Gas to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. Scotiabank raised their target price on shares of National Fuel Gas from $80.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a "sector outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 20th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered National Fuel Gas from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Saturday, November 30th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $69.00.

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.