National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) Hits New 1-Year High - Should You Buy?

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report)'s stock price reached a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $61.88 and last traded at $61.83, with a volume of 17498 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $60.86.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. StockNews.com upgraded National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, October 11th. Scotiabank lifted their price target on shares of National Fuel Gas from $80.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a "sector outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 20th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on National Fuel Gas from $64.00 to $62.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, September 12th.

National Fuel Gas Trading Up 2.1 %

The company has a quick ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85. The company has a market capitalization of $5.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.33 and a beta of 0.62. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $59.82 and a 200 day moving average price of $56.96.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The oil and gas producer reported $0.99 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.96 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $417.40 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $540.62 million. National Fuel Gas had a return on equity of 14.80% and a net margin of 16.42%. The business's quarterly revenue was down 2.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.01 EPS. On average, analysts expect that National Fuel Gas will post 5.05 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Monday, September 30th were given a $0.515 dividend. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.31%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, September 30th. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 40.87%.

Insider Buying and Selling at National Fuel Gas

In related news, General Counsel Michael W. Reville sold 1,700 shares of National Fuel Gas stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.77, for a total value of $103,309.00. Following the sale, the general counsel now owns 8,203 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $498,496.31. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 1.55% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On National Fuel Gas

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in National Fuel Gas by 46.5% during the second quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,732,969 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $93,910,000 after purchasing an additional 550,153 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 159.5% during the 2nd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 880,434 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $47,711,000 after acquiring an additional 541,176 shares during the period. Equity Investment Corp increased its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 27.7% during the 1st quarter. Equity Investment Corp now owns 1,242,186 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $66,730,000 after acquiring an additional 269,441 shares during the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its position in National Fuel Gas by 194.3% during the second quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 378,588 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $20,516,000 after purchasing an additional 249,967 shares during the period. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp increased its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 262.5% in the second quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 318,078 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $17,237,000 after purchasing an additional 230,332 shares during the last quarter. 73.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

National Fuel Gas Company 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.