National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) Stake Lowered by Franklin Resources Inc.

Franklin Resources Inc. lessened its stake in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 15.5% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 186,646 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after selling 34,223 shares during the quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. owned about 0.21% of National Fuel Gas worth $11,326,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in NFG. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC increased its holdings in National Fuel Gas by 14.3% during the 4th quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 1,221 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $76,000 after purchasing an additional 153 shares during the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. increased its position in shares of National Fuel Gas by 82.9% in the 4th quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 481 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 218 shares during the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC grew its stake in National Fuel Gas by 49.5% in the fourth quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 722 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $44,000 after purchasing an additional 239 shares in the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. increased its holdings in National Fuel Gas by 5.0% in the fourth quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 5,906 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $358,000 after buying an additional 280 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake in National Fuel Gas by 42.7% during the fourth quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 993 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $60,000 after buying an additional 297 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.96% of the company's stock.

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National Fuel Gas Price Performance

NYSE:NFG traded up $1.07 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $77.53. 31,151 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 546,442. National Fuel Gas has a 1-year low of $51.46 and a 1-year high of $80.14. The company has a current ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.02 billion, a PE ratio of -553.75 and a beta of 0.61. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $75.01 and a 200 day moving average price of $66.97.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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 quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.46 EPS. Research analysts expect that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 31st will be given a dividend of $0.515 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 31st. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.66%. National Fuel Gas's payout ratio is presently -1,471.43%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

NFG has been the subject of several research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 13th. StockNews.com lowered shares of National Fuel Gas from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Monday, April 7th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $74.67.

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.