Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET) Shares Down 0.2%

Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET - Get Free Report) was down 0.2% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as $15.79 and last traded at $15.85. Approximately 2,015,931 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 85% from the average daily volume of 13,435,511 shares. The stock had previously closed at $15.88.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

Energy Transfer Price Performance

The stock has a market cap of $53.79 billion, a PE ratio of 14.64, a PEG ratio of 0.42 and a beta of 1.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.18. The stock's 50-day moving average is $16.09 and its two-hundred day moving average is $15.66.

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

Energy Transfer Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 19th. Investors of record on Friday, August 9th were issued a $0.32 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 9th. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.02%. This is a boost from Energy Transfer's previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. Energy Transfer's payout ratio is 117.43%.

Insider Transactions at Energy Transfer

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

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Northwest Financial Advisors purchased a new position in Energy Transfer in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. LRI Investments LLC purchased a new stake in Energy Transfer during the 1st quarter worth $29,000. Atlantic Edge Private Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Energy Transfer in the fourth quarter valued at about $33,000. HWG Holdings LP acquired a new stake in Energy Transfer in the second quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, Ables Iannone Moore & Associates Inc. purchased a new stake in Energy Transfer during the 4th quarter worth $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 38.22% of the company's stock.

About Energy Transfer

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.