National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) Reaches New 1-Year High - Here's What Happened

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report)'s stock price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $79.91 and last traded at $79.85, with a volume of 635083 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $79.19.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on NFG shares. StockNews.com raised National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 13th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, National Fuel Gas has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $74.67.

National Fuel Gas Trading Down 7.2 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.39 and a quick ratio of 0.33. The firm has a market cap of $6.62 billion, a PE ratio of -522.21 and a beta of 0.61. The company's 50 day moving average price is $74.41 and its 200 day moving average price is $66.33.

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National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 EPS for the quarter, topping 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 quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.46 earnings per share. As a group, analysts forecast that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 31st will be given a dividend of $0.515 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 31st. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.82%. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio is currently -1,471.43%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Victory Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 2,584,155 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $156,807,000 after acquiring an additional 85,950 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 5.6% during the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 2,199,787 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $146,502,000 after buying an additional 117,351 shares during the last quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL increased its position in National Fuel Gas by 5.1% in the 4th quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL now owns 1,447,665 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $87,844,000 after acquiring an additional 70,332 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $67,393,000. Finally, Northern Trust Corp lifted its position in National Fuel Gas by 37.9% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 1,019,072 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $61,837,000 after acquiring an additional 279,857 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.96% of the company's stock.

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.