Holocene Advisors LP Acquires 15,400 Shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Holocene Advisors LP grew its stake in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 28.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 68,964 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after purchasing an additional 15,400 shares during the period. Holocene Advisors LP owned approximately 0.08% of National Fuel Gas worth $4,180,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of NFG. Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $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 stake in National Fuel Gas during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Valley National Advisers Inc. bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $37,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in National Fuel Gas by 38.6% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 696 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 194 shares during the last quarter. 73.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling at National Fuel Gas

In other news, insider Justin I. Loweth sold 19,532 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.27, for a total value of $1,216,257.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 41,841 shares in the company, valued at $2,605,439.07. This trade represents a 31.83 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, General Counsel Michael W. Reville sold 1,700 shares of National Fuel Gas stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.77, for a total value of $103,309.00. Following the transaction, the general counsel now owns 8,203 shares of the company's stock, valued at $498,496.31. The trade was a 17.17 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 1.55% of the company's stock.

National Fuel Gas Trading Up 0.2 %

National Fuel Gas stock traded up $0.14 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $62.17. 325,355 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 518,409. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 77.41 and a beta of 0.63. National Fuel Gas has a fifty-two week low of $45.32 and a fifty-two week high of $65.06. 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 company's 50 day simple moving average is $61.44 and its 200-day simple moving average is $58.83.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 30th were paid a $0.515 dividend. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.31%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 30th. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio is 254.32%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have commented on NFG. Bank of America began coverage on National Fuel Gas in a research report on Monday, October 28th. They issued an "underperform" rating and a $62.00 price objective on the stock. StockNews.com lowered National Fuel Gas from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Saturday, November 30th. Argus upgraded National Fuel Gas to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. Scotiabank increased their price objective on National Fuel Gas from $80.00 to $81.00 and gave the company a "sector outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 20th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on 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. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, National Fuel Gas currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target 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.