Barclays Reaffirms Overweight Rating for Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG)

Barclays reiterated their overweight rating on shares of Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG - Free Report) in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports. They currently have a $262.00 price objective on the energy company's stock, up from their prior price objective of $253.00.

Several other research analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. Argus began coverage on shares of Cheniere Energy in a research report on Tuesday, March 18th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $255.00 price target on the stock. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed a "strong-buy" rating on shares of Cheniere Energy in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Wall Street Zen downgraded Cheniere Energy from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, May 9th. Scotiabank reduced their price target on Cheniere Energy from $243.00 to $242.00 and set a "sector outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 29th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company set a $267.00 price objective on Cheniere Energy and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 25th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fifteen have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $260.36.

Cheniere Energy Stock Performance

Shares of LNG traded down $3.62 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $231.71. The stock had a trading volume of 1,539,714 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,845,349. The firm has a market capitalization of $51.39 billion, a PE ratio of 16.95 and a beta of 0.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.24, a current ratio of 1.19 and a quick ratio of 1.06. Cheniere Energy has a 12 month low of $167.66 and a 12 month high of $257.65. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $235.77 and a 200 day moving average price of $228.71.

Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 8th. The energy company reported $1.57 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $2.81 by ($1.24). Cheniere Energy had a net margin of 18.37% and a return on equity of 32.62%. The firm had revenue of $5.44 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.73 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.13 earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 28.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that Cheniere Energy will post 11.69 EPS for the current year.

Cheniere Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 18th. Investors of record on Friday, August 8th will be given a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 8th. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.86%. Cheniere Energy's dividend payout ratio is currently 14.63%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Cheniere Energy news, Director Neal A. Shear sold 4,300 shares of Cheniere Energy stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $245.93, for a total value of $1,057,499.00. Following the sale, the director owned 29,733 shares of the company's stock, valued at $7,312,236.69. The trade was a 12.63% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.26% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. grew its stake in shares of Cheniere Energy by 134.1% in the 2nd quarter. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. now owns 103 shares of the energy company's stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 59 shares in the last quarter. REAP Financial Group LLC increased its stake in Cheniere Energy by 150.0% during the fourth quarter. REAP Financial Group LLC now owns 125 shares of the energy company's stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 75 shares during the last quarter. Banque Transatlantique SA purchased a new stake in Cheniere Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Cooksen Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Cheniere Energy in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Finally, WPG Advisers LLC purchased a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy in the 1st quarter worth approximately $38,000. 87.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.