National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) Shares Bought by Foster & Motley Inc.

Foster & Motley Inc. increased its holdings in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 27.3% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 38,687 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after purchasing an additional 8,307 shares during the period. Foster & Motley Inc.'s holdings in National Fuel Gas were worth $2,348,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new position in National Fuel Gas during the third quarter worth $28,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas in the 3rd quarter worth about $29,000. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 82.9% in the 4th quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 481 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 218 shares during the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas during the 3rd quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC grew its holdings 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 valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 194 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.96% of the company's stock.

National Fuel Gas Stock Up 2.6 %

Shares of NFG traded up $1.84 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $71.87. The company had a trading volume of 708,842 shares, compared to its average volume of 691,893. National Fuel Gas has a one year low of $45.32 and a one year high of $73.13. The company's fifty day moving average price is $63.48 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $61.24. The company has a market capitalization of $6.51 billion, a PE ratio of -513.93 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a current ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly 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 period in the previous year, the company posted $1.46 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st were issued a dividend of $0.515 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 31st. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.87%. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio is presently -1,471.32%.

Insider Transactions at National Fuel Gas

In other National Fuel Gas 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 sale, the insider now owns 41,841 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,605,439.07. This trade represents a 31.83 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Donna L. Decarolis sold 10,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.58, for a total transaction of $625,800.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 81,519 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,101,459.02. This trade represents a 10.93 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.41% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have issued reports on NFG shares. Argus upgraded National Fuel Gas to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. Bank of America initiated 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. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on National Fuel Gas from $65.00 to $64.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of National Fuel Gas from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Monday, January 27th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given 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, the company 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.