National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) Shares Purchased by Axa S.A.

AXA S.A. boosted its stake in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 146.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 62,972 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after buying an additional 37,394 shares during the period. AXA S.A. owned approximately 0.07% of National Fuel Gas worth $3,821,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Kentucky Trust Co acquired a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. UMB Bank n.a. raised its position in 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 purchasing an additional 218 shares during the period. Quarry LP acquired a new position in National Fuel Gas during the fourth quarter worth $32,000. S.A. Mason LLC purchased a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas during the fourth quarter worth $38,000. Finally, Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd boosted its position in shares of National Fuel Gas by 223.2% during the fourth quarter. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd now owns 656 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 453 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.96% of the company's stock.

National Fuel Gas Stock Down 0.1%

Shares of National Fuel Gas stock traded down $0.05 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $80.36. 110,230 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 558,863. The firm has a market cap of $7.26 billion, a PE ratio of -573.96 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a current ratio of 0.39. National Fuel Gas has a 1 year low of $53.03 and a 1 year high of $83.35. The stock's fifty day moving average is $77.62 and its 200 day moving average is $69.64.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The oil and gas producer reported $2.39 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.18 by $0.21. The firm had revenue of $729.95 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations 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 for the quarter was up 15.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.79 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Investors of record on Monday, March 31st were issued a $0.515 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 31st. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.56%. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 479.07%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently issued reports on NFG. StockNews.com upgraded National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday, March 13th. One 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 assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus 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.