Verition Fund Management LLC Sells 175,419 Shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Verition Fund Management LLC trimmed its position in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 96.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 5,733 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after selling 175,419 shares during the quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC's holdings in National Fuel Gas were worth $347,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas in the third quarter worth $28,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas in the 3rd quarter worth about $29,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in National Fuel Gas during the 3rd quarter valued at about $35,000. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its stake in National Fuel Gas by 38.6% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 696 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 194 shares during the period. Finally, Reston Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the 3rd quarter valued at about $50,000. 73.96% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

National Fuel Gas Stock Performance

NFG traded up $0.58 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $61.37. The company had a trading volume of 541,055 shares, compared to its average volume of 517,294. The business has a 50-day moving average of $61.58 and a two-hundred day moving average of $59.10. The company has a quick ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77. National Fuel Gas has a 1 year low of $45.32 and a 1 year high of $65.06. The company has a market cap of $5.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 75.77 and a beta of 0.63.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 31st will be issued a $0.515 dividend. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.36%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 31st. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio is 254.32%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Argus upgraded shares of National Fuel Gas to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. Scotiabank raised their price target on National Fuel Gas from $80.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a "sector outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on National Fuel Gas from $65.00 to $64.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th. StockNews.com downgraded National Fuel Gas from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Saturday, November 30th. Finally, Bank of America started coverage on shares of National Fuel Gas in a report on Monday, October 28th. They issued an "underperform" rating and a $62.00 price objective on the stock. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, National Fuel Gas presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $69.00.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Donna L. Decarolis sold 10,000 shares of National Fuel Gas stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.58, for a total transaction of $625,800.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 81,519 shares in the company, valued at $5,101,459.02. This trade represents a 10.93 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Justin I. Loweth sold 19,532 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, December 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.27, for a total transaction of $1,216,257.64. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 41,841 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,605,439.07. The trade was a 31.83 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 31,232 shares of company stock worth $1,945,367. Company insiders own 1.55% 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.