Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET) Shares Down 0.6%

Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET - Get Free Report) shares were down 0.6% on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $16.00 and last traded at $16.02. Approximately 1,625,245 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 88% from the average daily volume of 13,476,032 shares. The stock had previously closed at $16.11.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on Energy Transfer from $18.00 to $19.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, May 9th. Mizuho lifted their price objective on Energy Transfer from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, June 18th. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of Energy Transfer from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, June 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Energy Transfer from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, June 20th. Finally, UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of Energy Transfer from $23.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Energy Transfer presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $19.29.

Energy Transfer Stock Down 1.2 %

The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.37. The company has a market capitalization of $53.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.60, a P/E/G ratio of 0.42 and a beta of 1.66. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $16.08 and its 200-day moving average price is $15.64.

Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The pipeline company reported $0.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.36 by ($0.01). Energy Transfer had a return on equity of 12.22% and a net margin of 4.85%. The company had revenue of $20.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.01 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.25 earnings per share. Energy Transfer's revenue for the quarter was up 13.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Energy Transfer LP will post 1.49 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Energy Transfer Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 9th were given a dividend of $0.32 per share. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.05%. This is an increase from Energy Transfer's previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 9th. Energy Transfer's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 117.43%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Gregory G. Mcilwain bought 20,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 23rd. The shares were acquired at an average price of $15.68 per share, for a total transaction of $313,600.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the executive vice president now directly owns 591,211 shares in the company, valued at $9,270,188.48. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, Director Kelcy L. Warren acquired 3,000,000 shares of Energy Transfer stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The stock was bought at an average price of $15.68 per share, with a total value of $47,040,000.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 123,385,650 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,934,686,992. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Gregory G. Mcilwain bought 20,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 23rd. The shares were bought at an average price of $15.68 per share, for a total transaction of $313,600.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 591,211 shares in the company, valued at $9,270,188.48. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders bought 3,040,000 shares of company stock worth $47,667,200. 3.28% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Northwest Financial Advisors acquired a new position in shares of Energy Transfer during the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. LRI Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Energy Transfer in the first quarter worth approximately $29,000. Atlantic Edge Private Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Energy Transfer in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $33,000. HWG Holdings LP bought a new stake in Energy Transfer during the second quarter worth $33,000. Finally, Ables Iannone Moore & Associates Inc. bought a new position in Energy Transfer during the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. 38.22% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Energy Transfer Company Profile

Energy Transfer LP provides energy-related services. The company owns and operates natural gas transportation pipeline, and natural gas storage facilities in Texas and Oklahoma; and approximately 20,090 miles of interstate natural gas pipeline. It also sells natural gas to electric utilities, independent power plants, local distribution and other marketing companies, and industrial end-users.