Geode Capital Management LLC Raises Holdings in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 5.6% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 2,199,787 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after acquiring an additional 117,351 shares during the quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC owned 2.43% of National Fuel Gas worth $146,502,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Schroder Investment Management Group increased its position in shares of National Fuel Gas by 4.0% during the 4th quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 9,122 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $551,000 after purchasing an additional 350 shares during the last quarter. Clear Creek Financial Management LLC purchased a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $238,000. Zacks Investment Management bought a new position in National Fuel Gas in the third quarter worth approximately $957,000. Vestcor Inc purchased a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas during the 3rd quarter worth $716,000. Finally, ING Groep NV bought a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter valued at $1,086,000. Institutional investors own 73.96% of the company's stock.

National Fuel Gas Price Performance

Shares of NFG traded up $2.47 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $76.41. 796,803 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 548,470. National Fuel Gas has a 52-week low of $51.46 and a 52-week high of $80.14. The company has a current ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. The company has a market cap of $6.92 billion, a P/E ratio of -545.72 and a beta of 0.61. The company's 50-day moving average price is $75.01 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $66.91.

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National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 earnings per share 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 period last year, the business earned $1.46 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 31st will be issued a dividend of $0.515 per share. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.70%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 31st. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -1,471.43%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages recently commented on NFG. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, March 13th. StockNews.com downgraded National Fuel Gas from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Monday, April 7th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, National Fuel Gas currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $74.67.

National Fuel Gas 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.