Prudential PLC Cuts Holdings in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Prudential PLC lowered its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 92.9% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 5,119 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after selling 67,045 shares during the quarter. Prudential PLC's holdings in National Fuel Gas were worth $311,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Huber Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter worth approximately $3,428,000. ExodusPoint Capital Management LP bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter valued at about $1,544,000. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 59.3% during the 4th quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 191,675 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $11,631,000 after purchasing an additional 71,375 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of National Fuel Gas by 5.6% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 2,199,787 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $146,502,000 after acquiring an additional 117,351 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its stake in National Fuel Gas by 142.7% in the fourth quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 144,317 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $8,757,000 after buying an additional 84,860 shares in the last quarter. 73.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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National Fuel Gas Trading Up 1.3 %

Shares of NFG traded up $0.98 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $77.44. The company had a trading volume of 48,591 shares, compared to its average volume of 546,508. The firm has a market cap of $7.01 billion, a P/E ratio of -553.10 and a beta of 0.61. National Fuel Gas has a 52-week low of $51.46 and a 52-week high of $80.14. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $75.01 and its 200 day moving average price is $66.97. The company has a quick ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last posted 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 negative net margin of 0.53% and a positive return on equity of 15.96%. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.46 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 EPS for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 31st will be issued a dividend of $0.515 per share. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.66%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 31st. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -1,471.43%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 13th. StockNews.com lowered National Fuel Gas from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Monday, April 7th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $74.67.

National Fuel Gas 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.