Van ECK Associates Corp Sells 31,983 Shares of Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG)

Van ECK Associates Corp cut its stake in Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG - Free Report) by 28.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 80,669 shares of the energy company's stock after selling 31,983 shares during the period. Van ECK Associates Corp's holdings in Cheniere Energy were worth $17,333,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB lifted its holdings in shares of Cheniere Energy by 170.5% during the fourth quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 119 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 75 shares during the last quarter. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy during the third quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Adirondack Trust Co. purchased a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $43,000. City Holding Co. bought a new stake in shares of Cheniere Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $50,000. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Cheniere Energy by 53.3% during the third quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 368 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $66,000 after acquiring an additional 128 shares in the last quarter. 87.26% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Cheniere Energy from $213.00 to $235.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 18th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of Cheniere Energy from $232.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, November 15th. TD Cowen boosted their price objective on shares of Cheniere Energy from $242.00 to $250.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, January 27th. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Cheniere Energy from $202.00 to $253.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on shares of Cheniere Energy from $204.00 to $237.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 4th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $234.25.

Cheniere Energy Price Performance

LNG stock traded up $3.14 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $218.79. The company had a trading volume of 2,870,500 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,384,054. The company has a market capitalization of $49.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.97 and a beta of 0.98. Cheniere Energy, Inc. has a 12-month low of $152.31 and a 12-month high of $257.65. The company has a quick ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.41. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $222.61 and a 200 day moving average price of $202.99.

Cheniere Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 21st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 7th will be paid a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.91%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 7th. Cheniere Energy's payout ratio is currently 12.77%.

Cheniere Energy Company Profile

Cheniere Energy, Inc, an energy infrastructure company, primarily engages in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) related businesses in the United States. It owns and operates the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana; and the Corpus Christi LNG terminal near Corpus Christi, Texas. The company also owns Creole Trail pipeline, a 94-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal with several interstate and intrastate pipelines; and operates Corpus Christi pipeline, a 21.5-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Corpus Christi LNG terminal with various interstate and intrastate natural gas pipelines.