Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. lessened its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 3.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 126,204 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after selling 4,075 shares during the quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. owned about 0.14% of National Fuel Gas worth $7,658,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Kentucky Trust Co purchased a new stake in National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the third quarter worth about $28,000. UMB Bank n.a. boosted its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 82.9% during 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. Venturi Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas during the third quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, S.A. Mason LLC acquired a new position in National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter valued at about $38,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.96% of the company's stock.
National Fuel Gas Price Performance
National Fuel Gas stock traded up $0.16 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $75.50. The company's stock had a trading volume of 432,989 shares, compared to its average volume of 502,001. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a current ratio of 0.39. National Fuel Gas has a fifty-two week low of $48.68 and a fifty-two week high of $76.98. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.84 billion, a PE ratio of -538.53 and a beta of 0.64. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $68.18 and its 200 day simple moving average is $63.40.
National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 EPS 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 previous year, the business earned $1.46 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current year.
National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend
The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 31st were issued a dividend of $0.515 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 31st. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.73%. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio is presently -1,471.43%.
Insiders Place Their Bets
In other news, insider Donna L. Decarolis sold 10,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.58, for a total value of $625,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 81,519 shares in the company, valued at $5,101,459.02. This trade represents a 10.93 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 1.41% of the stock is owned by company insiders.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades
Several brokerages have weighed in on NFG. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price 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. StockNews.com upgraded shares of National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, Argus upgraded shares of National Fuel Gas to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. 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 assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $69.00.
View Our Latest Research Report on National Fuel Gas
National Fuel Gas Company Profile
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Free Report)
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.
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