Natixis Advisors LLC Raises Position in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Natixis Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 6.8% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 54,828 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after buying an additional 3,495 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors LLC owned approximately 0.06% of National Fuel Gas worth $3,327,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Kentucky Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. UMB Bank n.a. raised its stake in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 218 shares during the last quarter. S.A. Mason LLC bought a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $38,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC boosted its position in shares of National Fuel Gas by 49.5% during the fourth quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 722 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 239 shares during the last quarter. Finally, IAG Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the fourth quarter worth $46,000. 73.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday, March 13th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $74.67.

Remove Ads

National Fuel Gas Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE NFG traded up $0.52 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $78.85. 607,441 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 673,748. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $72.83 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $65.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.39 and a quick ratio of 0.33. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -563.18 and a beta of 0.57. National Fuel Gas has a 52 week low of $51.46 and a 52 week high of $79.49.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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 quarter last year, the company posted $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 firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 31st will be issued a $0.515 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 31st. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.61%. National Fuel Gas's payout ratio is currently -1,471.43%.

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.