25,548 Shares in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) Acquired by Cohen & Steers Inc.

Cohen & Steers Inc. purchased a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 25,548 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock, valued at approximately $1,550,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Kentucky Trust Co acquired a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. UMB Bank n.a. raised its position in shares of National Fuel Gas by 82.9% during the 4th quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 481 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 218 shares in the last quarter. S.A. Mason LLC bought a new position in National Fuel Gas during the fourth quarter worth $38,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd boosted its holdings in National Fuel Gas by 223.2% in the fourth 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 during the period. Finally, V Square Quantitative Management LLC increased its stake in National Fuel Gas by 49.5% during the fourth quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 722 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 239 shares during the last quarter. 73.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

NFG has been the topic of several research reports. StockNews.com lowered shares of National Fuel Gas from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Monday, April 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, March 13th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $74.67.

National Fuel Gas Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:NFG traded up $0.28 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $79.01. The stock had a trading volume of 603,566 shares, compared to its average volume of 550,193. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a current ratio of 0.39. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $75.64 and its 200 day simple moving average is $67.59. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -564.32 and a beta of 0.61. 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 results on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.44 by $0.22. National Fuel Gas had a positive return on equity of 15.96% and a negative net margin of 0.53%. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.46 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

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. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.61%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 31st. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio is currently -1,471.43%.

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.