Algert Global LLC Sells 3,450 Shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Algert Global LLC lowered its position in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 13.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 22,514 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after selling 3,450 shares during the period. Algert Global LLC's holdings in National Fuel Gas were worth $1,366,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Barclays PLC increased its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 243.7% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 102,672 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $6,223,000 after purchasing an additional 72,802 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its position in National Fuel Gas by 33.3% during the third 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 last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 42.7% in the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 993 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $60,000 after acquiring an additional 297 shares during the last quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB raised its holdings in National Fuel Gas by 1.2% during the 4th quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 85,253 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $5,157,000 after buying an additional 1,034 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC raised its holdings in National Fuel Gas by 2.7% during the 4th quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 13,814 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $837,000 after buying an additional 360 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.96% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on NFG shares. StockNews.com upgraded shares of National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, National Fuel Gas presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $74.67.

National Fuel Gas Trading Down 0.9%

Shares of NYSE NFG traded down $0.70 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $79.71. 555,826 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 561,072. The company's 50-day moving average is $77.62 and its 200-day moving average is $69.64. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $7.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -569.32 and a beta of 0.61. National Fuel Gas has a 52-week low of $53.03 and a 52-week high of $83.35.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The oil and gas producer reported $2.39 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.18 by $0.21. The company had revenue of $729.95 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $770.81 million. National Fuel Gas had a positive return on equity of 15.96% and a negative net margin of 0.53%. National Fuel Gas's revenue was up 15.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.79 earnings per share. Analysts expect that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 31st were given a dividend of $0.515 per share. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.58%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 31st. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 479.07%.

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.