Alliancebernstein L.P. Reduces Holdings in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Alliancebernstein L.P. lowered its position in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 5.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 134,513 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after selling 7,369 shares during the period. Alliancebernstein L.P. owned 0.15% of National Fuel Gas worth $8,162,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in NFG. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 142.7% during the fourth quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 144,317 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $8,757,000 after buying an additional 84,860 shares during the last quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter valued at about $16,906,000. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC increased its holdings in National Fuel Gas by 14.3% during the 4th quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 1,221 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $76,000 after purchasing an additional 153 shares in the last quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group increased its holdings in 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 worth $551,000 after purchasing an additional 350 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership lifted its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 40.5% in the fourth quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 66,301 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $4,023,000 after purchasing an additional 19,111 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.96% of the company's stock.

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National Fuel Gas Stock Performance

National Fuel Gas stock traded up $0.44 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $78.01. 510,406 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 548,251. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.06 billion, a PE ratio of -557.17 and a beta of 0.61. 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 business's fifty day simple moving average is $75.11 and its 200 day simple moving average is $67.08. National Fuel Gas has a one year low of $51.46 and a one year high of $80.14.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results 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 previous year, the business posted $1.46 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced 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. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.64%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 31st. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio is currently -1,471.43%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target 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 lowered shares of 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 given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, National Fuel Gas has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $74.67.

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.