Prudential Financial Inc. Sells 27,735 Shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Prudential Financial Inc. lessened its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 21.8% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 99,778 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after selling 27,735 shares during the quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. owned 0.11% of National Fuel Gas worth $6,055,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter valued at about $9,067,000. Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 3.4% during the fourth quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 2,584,155 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $156,807,000 after acquiring an additional 85,950 shares in the last quarter. Ibex Wealth Advisors bought a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter valued at $4,943,000. Barclays PLC boosted its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 243.7% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 102,672 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $6,223,000 after buying an additional 72,802 shares during the period. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its holdings in National Fuel Gas by 33.3% in the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 220,869 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $13,386,000 after purchasing an additional 55,152 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.96% of the company's stock.

National Fuel Gas Stock Down 7.2 %

Shares of NFG traded down $5.69 on Friday, reaching $73.11. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,340,833 shares, compared to its average volume of 540,066. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.62 billion, a PE ratio of -522.21 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a current ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. National Fuel Gas has a twelve month low of $51.46 and a twelve month high of $80.14. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $74.41 and a 200-day moving average of $66.25.

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National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.44 by $0.22. National Fuel Gas had a positive return on equity of 15.96% and a negative net margin of 0.53%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.46 earnings per share. Equities analysts predict that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 EPS for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 31st will be issued a $0.515 dividend. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.82%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 31st. National Fuel Gas's payout ratio is -1,471.43%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently issued reports on NFG shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 13th. StockNews.com raised National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, National Fuel Gas currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $74.67.

About National Fuel Gas

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.