National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) Shares Sold by Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA

Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lessened its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 30.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 120,300 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after selling 52,983 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA owned 0.13% of National Fuel Gas worth $7,291,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in NFG. Beacon Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas in the third quarter valued at approximately $28,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC bought a new position in National Fuel Gas in the third quarter worth approximately $29,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in National Fuel Gas during the 3rd quarter worth $35,000. Finally, Valley National Advisers Inc. bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the 2nd quarter valued at $37,000. Institutional investors own 73.96% of the company's stock.

National Fuel Gas Price Performance

National Fuel Gas stock traded up $0.04 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $63.43. The company had a trading volume of 384,169 shares, compared to its average volume of 522,419. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $61.13 and its 200-day simple moving average is $58.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 0.32 and a quick ratio of 0.25. The company has a market capitalization of $5.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 78.87 and a beta of 0.62. National Fuel Gas has a 12-month low of $45.32 and a 12-month high of $65.06.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Monday, September 30th were issued a $0.515 dividend. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.25%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, September 30th. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 254.32%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target 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. Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of National Fuel Gas in a research report on Monday, October 28th. They set an "underperform" rating and a $62.00 target price on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded shares of National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, November 22nd. Argus upgraded shares of National Fuel Gas to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. Finally, Scotiabank boosted their price target on National Fuel Gas from $80.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a "sector outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 20th. 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. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $69.00.

Insider Transactions at National Fuel Gas

In other news, General Counsel Michael W. Reville sold 1,700 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.77, for a total value of $103,309.00. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel now directly owns 8,203 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $498,496.31. This represents a 17.17 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 1.55% of the company's stock.

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.