Blackstone Inc. Sells 2,283,673 Shares of Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG)

Blackstone Inc. decreased its holdings in Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG - Free Report) by 50.7% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,217,086 shares of the energy company's stock after selling 2,283,673 shares during the quarter. Cheniere Energy accounts for approximately 2.2% of Blackstone Inc.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 13th biggest holding. Blackstone Inc. owned 0.99% of Cheniere Energy worth $476,385,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. World Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Cheniere Energy in the third quarter worth $225,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy in the third quarter valued at approximately $159,000. Versant Capital Management Inc grew its position in shares of Cheniere Energy by 75.3% during the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 533 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $115,000 after purchasing an additional 229 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in Cheniere Energy by 12.1% during the fourth quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,351 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $290,000 after buying an additional 146 shares during the period. Finally, Insight Wealth Strategies LLC bought a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy in the fourth quarter worth approximately $4,455,000. 87.26% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Cheniere Energy Stock Performance

LNG traded down $3.83 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $233.48. 2,580,012 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,862,580. The company's 50-day moving average is $224.83 and its 200 day moving average is $219.78. Cheniere Energy, Inc. has a 52 week low of $153.03 and a 52 week high of $257.65. The firm has a market capitalization of $52.02 billion, a PE ratio of 16.41 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a quick ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.41.

Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 8th. The energy company reported $1.57 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $2.81 by ($1.24). The firm had revenue of $5.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.73 billion. Cheniere Energy had a net margin of 20.71% and a return on equity of 37.19%. The firm's revenue was up 28.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.13 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Cheniere Energy, Inc. will post 11.69 EPS for the current year.

Cheniere Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 9th will be paid a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.86%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 9th. Cheniere Energy's dividend payout ratio is presently 14.05%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Bank of America raised their price target on Cheniere Energy from $254.00 to $258.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 29th. Scotiabank reduced their price target on Cheniere Energy from $243.00 to $242.00 and set a "sector outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 29th. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Cheniere Energy from $195.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. Barclays increased their target price on Cheniere Energy from $202.00 to $253.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. Finally, Wolfe Research lowered Cheniere Energy from an "outperform" rating to a "peer perform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $252.23.

Insider Transactions at Cheniere Energy

In other Cheniere Energy news, Director G Andrea Botta sold 9,000 shares of Cheniere Energy stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $219.51, for a total transaction of $1,975,590.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 33,934 shares of the company's stock, valued at $7,448,852.34. The trade was a 20.96 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.26% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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.