National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) Hits New 52-Week High - Here's What Happened

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The stock traded as high as $75.37 and last traded at $75.40, with a volume of 20727 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $75.20.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on NFG. StockNews.com raised shares of National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. Argus upgraded National Fuel Gas to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on National Fuel Gas from $65.00 to $64.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $69.00.

National Fuel Gas Stock Down 1.7 %

The firm has a market capitalization of $6.65 billion, a PE ratio of -524.91 and a beta of 0.57. 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 company has a 50-day moving average price of $68.73 and a 200 day moving average price of $63.59.

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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 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 prior year, the business posted $1.46 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st were paid a $0.515 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 31st. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.80%. National Fuel Gas's payout ratio is currently -1,471.43%.

Institutional Trading of National Fuel Gas

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Kentucky Trust Co bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new position in National Fuel Gas during the third quarter worth $28,000. UMB Bank n.a. increased its position in 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 during the last quarter. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas in the fourth quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas in the 3rd quarter worth about $35,000. 73.96% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.