47,100 Shares in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) Acquired by KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS

KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS purchased a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 47,100 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock, valued at approximately $2,879,000. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS owned 0.05% of National Fuel Gas at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in NFG. Kentucky Trust Co purchased a new position in National Fuel Gas in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its stake 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 in the last quarter. S.A. Mason LLC acquired a new stake in National Fuel Gas in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $38,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC increased its stake in National Fuel Gas by 49.5% during the 4th quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 722 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $44,000 after buying an additional 239 shares during the period. Finally, Safe Harbor Fiduciary LLC acquired a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $46,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.96% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on NFG. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised 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 report on Thursday, March 13th. StockNews.com raised shares of National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $74.67.

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National Fuel Gas Stock Performance

Shares of NFG traded up $0.13 on Friday, reaching $78.81. 499,207 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 530,791. National Fuel Gas has a 12 month low of $51.46 and a 12 month high of $79.49. The firm has a market cap of $7.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -562.85 and a beta of 0.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.39 and a quick ratio of 0.33. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $73.51 and its 200-day moving average price is $65.70.

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 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates 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 period last year, the company earned $1.46 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 31st will be paid a $0.515 dividend. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.61%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 31st. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio is -1,471.43%.

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.