Envestnet Asset Management Inc. Boosts Stake in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 3.5% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 130,161 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after purchasing an additional 4,415 shares during the quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. owned about 0.14% of National Fuel Gas worth $7,898,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Kentucky Trust Co bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas in the fourth quarter worth $25,000. UMB Bank n.a. raised its position 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 in the last quarter. S.A. Mason LLC bought a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter valued at about $38,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC grew its holdings in National Fuel Gas by 49.5% in 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 last quarter. Finally, IAG Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter valued at about $46,000. 73.96% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

NFG has been the subject of several research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective 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. StockNews.com lowered National Fuel Gas from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Monday, April 7th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $74.67.

National Fuel Gas Stock Performance

Shares of National Fuel Gas stock traded down $1.56 during trading on Monday, hitting $77.39. 555,927 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 550,216. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -552.75 and a beta of 0.61. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $75.75 and a 200-day simple moving average of $67.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a current ratio of 0.39. National Fuel Gas has a 52-week low of $52.66 and a 52-week high of $80.14.

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 (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 last year, the business earned $1.46 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 EPS for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Investors of record on Monday, March 31st were given a dividend of $0.515 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 31st. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.66%. National Fuel Gas's 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.