National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) Sets New 1-Year High After Better-Than-Expected Earnings

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday following a stronger than expected earnings report. The stock traded as high as $72.33 and last traded at $72.64, with a volume of 184304 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $68.46.

The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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 in the previous year, the company posted $1.46 EPS.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. Bank of America assumed coverage on National Fuel Gas in a report on Monday, October 28th. They set an "underperform" rating and a $62.00 target price for the company. Argus raised National Fuel Gas to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on National Fuel Gas from $65.00 to $64.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 12th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered National Fuel Gas from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Monday, January 27th. Two investment 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 company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $69.00.

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 that occurred on Thursday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.58, for a total value of $625,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 81,519 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,101,459.02. The trade was a 10.93 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Justin I. Loweth sold 19,532 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 2nd. The shares were 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 $2,605,439.07. The trade was a 31.83 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.41% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of National Fuel Gas

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Kentucky Trust Co bought a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas during the third quarter valued at approximately $28,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC bought a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas during the third quarter valued at approximately $29,000. UMB Bank n.a. raised its holdings 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 valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 218 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas during the third quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Institutional investors own 73.96% of the company's stock.

National Fuel Gas Stock Performance

The business has a fifty day moving average of $63.48 and a 200 day moving average of $61.24. The company has a quick ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. The company has a market cap of $6.51 billion, a P/E ratio of -513.93 and a beta of 0.64.

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.