Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB Makes New Investment in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new stake in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 17,357 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock, valued at approximately $1,052,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 44.2% in the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 2,498,205 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $151,416,000 after purchasing an additional 765,236 shares during the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 159.5% in the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 880,434 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $47,711,000 after acquiring an additional 541,176 shares during the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 194.3% in the second quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 378,588 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $20,516,000 after acquiring an additional 249,967 shares during the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp increased its stake in National Fuel Gas by 262.5% in the second quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 318,078 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $17,237,000 after purchasing an additional 230,332 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Great Lakes Advisors LLC acquired a new position in National Fuel Gas in the second quarter valued at $10,741,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.96% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, General Counsel Michael W. Reville sold 1,700 shares of National Fuel Gas stock in a transaction 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 transaction, the general counsel now owns 8,203 shares in the company, valued at approximately $498,496.31. The trade was a 17.17 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Justin I. Loweth sold 19,532 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, December 2nd. The shares were 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 disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 31,232 shares of company stock valued at $1,945,367. 1.55% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

National Fuel Gas Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:NFG traded up $0.58 during trading on Friday, reaching $61.37. The stock had a trading volume of 541,055 shares, compared to its average volume of 517,294. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 0.32 and a quick ratio of 0.25. The business's 50-day moving average price is $61.58 and its 200 day moving average price is $59.10. National Fuel Gas has a 52 week low of $45.32 and a 52 week high of $65.06. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.57 billion, a PE ratio of 75.77 and a beta of 0.63.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st will be given a dividend of $0.515 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 31st. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.36%. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 254.32%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have commented on the company. Argus upgraded National Fuel Gas to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on National Fuel Gas from $65.00 to $64.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 12th. Bank of America initiated coverage on National Fuel Gas in a research note on Monday, October 28th. They set an "underperform" rating and a $62.00 price objective on the stock. StockNews.com cut National Fuel Gas from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Saturday, November 30th. Finally, Scotiabank increased their price target on 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. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $69.00.

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.