Barclays PLC Sells 12,154 Shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Barclays PLC reduced its position in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 11.8% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 90,518 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after selling 12,154 shares during the period. Barclays PLC owned 0.10% of National Fuel Gas worth $5,493,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in NFG. Schroder Investment Management Group boosted its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 4.0% in the 4th quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 9,122 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $551,000 after buying an additional 350 shares during the last quarter. Clear Creek Financial Management LLC purchased a new position in National Fuel Gas in the fourth quarter worth $238,000. Norges Bank purchased a new position in National Fuel Gas in the fourth quarter worth $67,393,000. ING Groep NV bought a new position in National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter valued at $1,086,000. Finally, Proficio Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter valued at $862,000. 73.96% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

National Fuel Gas Stock Performance

NFG traded up $2.42 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $79.20. The stock had a trading volume of 263,395 shares, compared to its average volume of 551,243. The stock has a market cap of $7.17 billion, a PE ratio of -567.95 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a quick ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $76.47 and its 200 day simple moving average is $68.46. National Fuel Gas has a 1 year low of $52.66 and a 1 year high of $80.14.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 30th. The oil and gas producer reported $2.39 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.08 by $0.31. National Fuel Gas had a negative net margin of 0.53% and a positive return on equity of 15.96%. The company had revenue of $729.95 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $770.81 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.79 EPS. National Fuel Gas's revenue for the quarter was up 15.9% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts anticipate that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 31st were paid a dividend of $0.515 per share. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.60%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 31st. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -1,471.43%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on NFG shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target 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. StockNews.com raised shares of National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has given 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 target price of $74.67.

About National Fuel Gas

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.