National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) Stake Decreased by Poplar Forest Capital LLC

Poplar Forest Capital LLC decreased its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 25.8% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 428,665 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after selling 149,098 shares during the quarter. National Fuel Gas accounts for approximately 4.8% of Poplar Forest Capital LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 4th largest position. Poplar Forest Capital LLC owned about 0.47% of National Fuel Gas worth $26,011,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of NFG. Raymond James & Associates grew its position in National Fuel Gas by 37.5% in the third quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 97,691 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $5,921,000 after acquiring an additional 26,655 shares in the last quarter. US Bancorp DE boosted its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 2.5% in the 3rd quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 25,630 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $1,553,000 after purchasing an additional 631 shares in the last quarter. Reston Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas during the 3rd quarter valued at about $50,000. QRG Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 11.2% during the 3rd quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 8,895 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $539,000 after buying an additional 894 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Radnor Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,341,000. 73.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have commented on NFG. Argus upgraded shares of National Fuel Gas to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of National Fuel Gas from $65.00 to $64.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 12th. Finally, 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 research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, National Fuel Gas presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $69.00.

National Fuel Gas Trading Up 0.1 %

NFG stock traded up $0.07 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $75.27. The company had a trading volume of 391,570 shares, compared to its average volume of 654,745. The stock has a market cap of $6.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -537.90 and a beta of 0.64. National Fuel Gas has a 52 week low of $48.68 and a 52 week high of $76.26. The company has a current ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $67.88 and its 200 day moving average price is $63.28.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 EPS 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 last year, the company posted $1.46 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts expect that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st were given a dividend of $0.515 per share. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.74%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 31st. National Fuel Gas's payout ratio is -1,471.43%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other National Fuel Gas news, insider Donna L. Decarolis sold 10,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on 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 directly owns 81,519 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $5,101,459.02. The trade was a 10.93 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 1.41% of the company's stock.

National Fuel Gas Company Profile

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.