Golar LNG Limited (NASDAQ:GLNG) Receives Average Rating of "Moderate Buy" from Analysts

Shares of Golar LNG Limited (NASDAQ:GLNG - Get Free Report) have earned a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" from the five ratings firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year target price among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $50.13.

Several equities research analysts recently commented on GLNG shares. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on shares of Golar LNG from $53.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 24th. StockNews.com raised shares of Golar LNG to a "sell" rating in a report on Monday, December 9th. Finally, Fearnley Fonds cut shares of Golar LNG from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 13th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Golar LNG

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of GLNG. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio acquired a new stake in Golar LNG during the third quarter worth approximately $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Golar LNG by 105.1% during the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,372 shares of the shipping company's stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 703 shares during the period. Sound Income Strategies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Golar LNG during the third quarter worth $52,000. CWM LLC grew its position in shares of Golar LNG by 830.9% in the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,657 shares of the shipping company's stock valued at $61,000 after purchasing an additional 1,479 shares during the period. Finally, USA Financial Formulas acquired a new position in Golar LNG in the fourth quarter valued at $61,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.21% of the company's stock.

Golar LNG Stock Performance

GLNG stock traded up $0.14 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $40.75. 900,808 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 983,634. The stock has a market cap of $4.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 291.09 and a beta of 0.59. Golar LNG has a fifty-two week low of $19.94 and a fifty-two week high of $44.36. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $41.52 and its 200-day moving average price is $37.30.

Golar LNG Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 25th were paid a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 25th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.45%. Golar LNG's dividend payout ratio is currently 714.34%.

About Golar LNG

Golar LNG Limited designs, converts, owns, and operates marine infrastructure for the liquefaction of natural gas. The company operates through three segments: FLNG, Corporate and Other, and Shipping. It engages in the regasification, storage, and offloading of liquefied natural gas (LNG); operation of floating liquefaction natural gas (FLNG) vessels or projects; transportation of LNG carriers; and vessel management activities.