National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) Stock Rating Upgraded by Argus

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) was upgraded by stock analysts at Argus to a "strong-buy" rating in a note issued to investors on Tuesday,Zacks.com reports.

Several other analysts have also commented on NFG. Bank of America began coverage on National Fuel Gas in a report on Monday, October 28th. They set an "underperform" rating and a $62.00 target price on the stock. Scotiabank lifted their price target on National Fuel Gas from $80.00 to $81.00 and gave the company a "sector outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 20th. StockNews.com raised National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of National Fuel Gas from $65.00 to $64.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $69.00.

National Fuel Gas Stock Performance

NYSE:NFG traded up $0.72 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $64.23. The company's stock had a trading volume of 735,396 shares, compared to its average volume of 484,629. The business's fifty day moving average is $61.02 and its two-hundred day moving average is $58.46. The stock has a market cap of $5.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 79.30 and a beta of 0.62. National Fuel Gas has a 1 year low of $45.32 and a 1 year high of $64.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 0.32 and a quick ratio of 0.25.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other National Fuel Gas news, General Counsel Michael W. Reville sold 1,700 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.77, for a total value of $103,309.00. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel now owns 8,203 shares in the company, valued at approximately $498,496.31. This represents a 17.17 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 1.55% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Beacon Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas in the first quarter valued at about $27,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the third quarter worth $35,000. Finally, Valley National Advisers Inc. purchased a new stake in National Fuel Gas in the second quarter valued at $37,000. 73.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.