Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. Takes Position in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 28,926 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock, valued at approximately $1,755,000.

A number of other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC acquired a new position in National Fuel Gas during the third quarter worth $29,000. UMB Bank n.a. increased its position in shares of National Fuel Gas by 82.9% in the fourth quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 481 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 218 shares in the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in National Fuel Gas in the 3rd quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in National Fuel Gas by 38.6% during the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 696 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $42,000 after buying an additional 194 shares in the last quarter. 73.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

National Fuel Gas Stock Down 0.5 %

Shares of NYSE:NFG traded down $0.39 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $72.18. 404,979 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 682,808. National Fuel Gas has a twelve month low of $45.32 and a twelve month high of $73.13. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $64.00 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $61.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a current ratio of 0.39. The company has a market cap of $6.54 billion, a PE ratio of -515.53 and a beta of 0.64.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 earnings per share for the quarter, topping 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 in the prior year, the company earned $1.46 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st were paid a dividend of $0.515 per share. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.85%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 31st. National Fuel Gas's payout ratio is currently -1,471.32%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of National Fuel Gas in a report on Monday, October 28th. They set an "underperform" rating and a $62.00 price target for the company. StockNews.com upgraded National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday. Argus upgraded National Fuel Gas to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on National Fuel Gas from $65.00 to $64.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 12th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $69.00.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other National Fuel Gas news, insider Justin I. Loweth sold 19,532 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, December 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.27, for a total transaction of $1,216,257.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 41,841 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,605,439.07. The trade was a 31.83 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Donna L. Decarolis sold 10,000 shares of National Fuel Gas stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.58, for a total transaction of $625,800.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 81,519 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,101,459.02. This represents a 10.93 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.41% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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.