BNP Paribas Financial Markets Increases Stock Position in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its position in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 54.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 49,140 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after buying an additional 17,350 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets owned about 0.05% of National Fuel Gas worth $2,982,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in NFG. Kentucky Trust Co purchased a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. UMB Bank n.a. raised its holdings in National Fuel Gas by 82.9% in the 4th quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 481 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 218 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP bought a new position in National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter worth $32,000. S.A. Mason LLC bought a new position in National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter worth $38,000. Finally, Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd raised its holdings in National Fuel Gas by 223.2% in the 4th quarter. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd now owns 656 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 453 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.96% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have commented on NFG shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, March 13th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. 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. According to data from MarketBeat, National Fuel Gas currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $74.67.

National Fuel Gas Stock Performance

Shares of NFG stock opened at $81.05 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $77.99 and a 200-day moving average price of $69.91. National Fuel Gas has a 52 week low of $53.03 and a 52 week high of $83.35. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.32 billion, a PE ratio of -578.89 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.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The oil and gas producer reported $2.39 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.18 by $0.21. National Fuel Gas had a negative net margin of 0.53% and a positive return on equity of 15.96%. The firm had revenue of $729.95 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $770.81 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.79 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 15.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 31st were paid a $0.515 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 31st. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.54%. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio is presently 479.07%.

National Fuel Gas Company 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.

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