National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) Rating Increased to Hold at StockNews.com

StockNews.com upgraded shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday morning.

NFG has been the topic of several other research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on National Fuel Gas from $65.00 to $64.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 12th. Argus upgraded National Fuel Gas to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. Finally, Bank of America started coverage on shares of National Fuel Gas in a research report on Monday, October 28th. They set an "underperform" rating and a $62.00 price target for the company. One 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 data from MarketBeat, National Fuel Gas currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $69.00.

National Fuel Gas Stock Down 0.5 %

NYSE:NFG traded down $0.37 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $71.86. The stock had a trading volume of 500,014 shares, compared to its average volume of 680,445. The company has a market cap of $6.51 billion, a PE ratio of -513.22 and a beta of 0.64. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $64.33 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $61.69. National Fuel Gas has a 1-year low of $45.32 and a 1-year high of $73.13. The company has a current ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.44 by $0.22. National Fuel Gas had a negative net margin of 0.53% and a positive return on equity of 15.96%. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.46 earnings per share. Analysts predict that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 EPS for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st were paid a dividend of $0.515 per share. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.87%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 31st. National Fuel Gas's payout ratio is currently -1,471.43%.

Insider Transactions at National Fuel Gas

In related news, insider Justin I. Loweth sold 19,532 shares of the firm'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 transaction, the insider now directly owns 41,841 shares in the company, valued at $2,605,439.07. This trade represents a 31.83 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Donna L. Decarolis sold 10,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction 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 of the company's stock, valued at approximately $5,101,459.02. The trade was a 10.93 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.41% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On National Fuel Gas

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Kentucky Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new position in National Fuel Gas during the 3rd quarter worth $28,000. UMB Bank n.a. increased its position in National Fuel Gas by 82.9% in the fourth quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 481 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 218 shares during the period. V Square Quantitative Management LLC bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas in the third quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas during the third quarter valued at $35,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.96% 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.