National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) is Poplar Forest Capital LLC's 5th Largest Position

Poplar Forest Capital LLC trimmed its position in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 1.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 577,763 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after selling 8,695 shares during the period. National Fuel Gas comprises 4.8% of Poplar Forest Capital LLC's holdings, making the stock its 5th biggest holding. Poplar Forest Capital LLC owned approximately 0.63% of National Fuel Gas worth $35,018,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in NFG. Beacon Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the first quarter valued at $27,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. Valley National Advisers Inc. purchased a new stake in National Fuel Gas in the 2nd quarter valued at about $37,000. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in National Fuel Gas by 38.6% in the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 696 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 194 shares in the last quarter. Finally, LRI Investments LLC bought a new position in National Fuel Gas in the 1st quarter worth about $46,000. 73.96% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

National Fuel Gas Stock Down 5.6 %

National Fuel Gas stock traded down $3.47 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $58.91. 1,224,932 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 523,145. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a current ratio of 0.77. The firm has a market cap of $5.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.08 and a beta of 0.62. The business has a fifty day moving average of $60.60 and a 200 day moving average of $57.87. National Fuel Gas has a 12-month low of $45.32 and a 12-month high of $63.54.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 6th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.77 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.83 by ($0.06). National Fuel Gas had a return on equity of 14.80% and a net margin of 16.42%. The company had revenue of $372.07 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $482.49 million. Research analysts anticipate that National Fuel Gas will post 5.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 30th were issued a $0.515 dividend. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.50%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, September 30th. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio is currently 59.71%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently weighed in on NFG shares. Scotiabank lifted their price target on shares of National Fuel Gas from $80.00 to $81.00 and gave the company a "sector outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on National Fuel Gas from $64.00 to $62.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, September 12th. Bank of America started coverage on National Fuel Gas in a research note on Monday, October 28th. They set an "underperform" rating and a $62.00 price target on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of National Fuel Gas from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Saturday, October 19th.

Insider Transactions at National Fuel Gas

In related news, General Counsel Michael W. Reville sold 1,700 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.77, for a total transaction of $103,309.00. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel now owns 8,203 shares of the company's stock, valued at $498,496.31. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Insiders own 1.55% of the company's stock.

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.