Barclays PLC Boosts Stake in Golar LNG Limited (NASDAQ:GLNG)

Barclays PLC boosted its position in shares of Golar LNG Limited (NASDAQ:GLNG - Free Report) by 431.3% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 185,018 shares of the shipping company's stock after purchasing an additional 150,195 shares during the quarter. Barclays PLC owned approximately 0.18% of Golar LNG worth $6,802,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. De Lisle Partners LLP grew its stake in Golar LNG by 9.1% in the 3rd quarter. De Lisle Partners LLP now owns 249,390 shares of the shipping company's stock valued at $9,169,000 after acquiring an additional 20,890 shares during the last quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund increased its position in Golar LNG by 467.9% during the third quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 2,237,000 shares of the shipping company's stock worth $82,232,000 after buying an additional 1,843,100 shares in the last quarter. Murchinson Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Golar LNG in the second quarter worth $1,301,000. Royce & Associates LP lifted its position in shares of Golar LNG by 102.5% in the third quarter. Royce & Associates LP now owns 81,000 shares of the shipping company's stock valued at $2,978,000 after acquiring an additional 41,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Stifel Financial Corp boosted its stake in shares of Golar LNG by 21.8% during the third quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 639,813 shares of the shipping company's stock valued at $23,520,000 after acquiring an additional 114,531 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.21% of the company's stock.

Golar LNG Trading Up 2.2 %

GLNG traded up $0.89 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $41.50. The company's stock had a trading volume of 2,433,632 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,229,865. Golar LNG Limited has a 52-week low of $19.94 and a 52-week high of $44.08. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $38.54 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $34.76. The company has a current ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41. The firm has a market cap of $4.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 296.45 and a beta of 0.61.

Golar LNG Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, November 25th were issued a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 25th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.41%. Golar LNG's payout ratio is 714.29%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have issued reports on GLNG. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Golar LNG to a "sell" rating in a report on Monday, December 9th. Fearnley Fonds downgraded shares of Golar LNG from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Golar LNG presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $49.63.

Golar LNG Profile

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.