Jump Financial LLC Takes $380,000 Position in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Jump Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 6,270 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock, valued at approximately $380,000.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Kentucky Trust Co purchased a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. UMB Bank n.a. boosted its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 82.9% during the fourth 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 period. S.A. Mason LLC purchased a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the fourth quarter worth about $38,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd boosted its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 223.2% during the fourth quarter. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd now owns 656 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 453 shares during the period. Finally, V Square Quantitative Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 49.5% during 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 during the period. 73.96% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

National Fuel Gas Trading Down 0.9 %

NFG stock traded down $0.71 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $77.64. The company had a trading volume of 532,137 shares, compared to its average volume of 550,897. National Fuel Gas has a 52 week low of $52.66 and a 52 week high of $80.14. The company has a market cap of $7.03 billion, a P/E ratio of -554.53 and a beta of 0.61. The business has a 50 day moving average of $76.29 and a 200 day moving average of $68.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.39 and a quick ratio of 0.33.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.44 by $0.22. National Fuel Gas had a negative net margin of 0.53% and a positive return on equity of 15.96%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.46 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 31st were issued a dividend of $0.515 per share. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.65%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 31st. National Fuel Gas's payout ratio is -1,471.43%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on NFG shares. StockNews.com upgraded shares of National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday, March 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $74.67.

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.