Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG) Stock Has Consensus Target Price of $306.12

Key Points

• Cheniere Energy has a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating from 20 analysts, with 15 buy, two strong-buy, and three hold ratings. The average 12-month price target is $306.12, above the reported share price of $277.61.
• In its latest quarter, Cheniere reported $5.73 billion in revenue, exceeding expectations of $4.92 billion, although adjusted earnings of $3.02 per share missed the $3.11 consensus estimate. Revenue increased 23.5% year over year.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.555 per share, or $2.22 annually, representing a 0.8% yield and a 16.53% payout ratio. Institutional investors own approximately 87.26% of the stock.

Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG - Get Free Report) has received a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" from the twenty brokerages that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fifteen have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $306.12.

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Argus set a $330.00 price target on Cheniere Energy in a research note on Tuesday, August 18th. Sanford C. Bernstein assumed coverage on Cheniere Energy in a research note on Tuesday, June 16th. They issued a "market perform" rating and a $283.00 price objective for the company. Barclays lifted their price objective on Cheniere Energy from $279.00 to $287.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday. TD Cowen boosted their target price on Cheniere Energy from $280.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on Cheniere Energy from $327.00 to $334.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, July 24th.

Cheniere Energy Stock Performance

Shares of LNG opened at $277.61 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.97. Cheniere Energy has a 52-week low of $186.20 and a 52-week high of $300.89. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $274.04 and a 200-day simple moving average of $261.03. The company has a market capitalization of $57.33 billion, a PE ratio of 20.67, a P/E/G ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 0.06.

Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 6th. The energy company reported $3.02 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $3.11 by ($0.09). Cheniere Energy had a return on equity of 29.80% and a net margin of 13.57%.The company had revenue of $5.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.92 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $7.30 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 23.5% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts predict that Cheniere Energy will post 16.76 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Cheniere Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, August 18th. Investors of record on Monday, August 10th were given a $0.5550 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 10th. This represents a $2.22 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.8%. Cheniere Energy's payout ratio is currently 16.53%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Cheniere Energy

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Financial Life Planners acquired a new stake in shares of Cheniere Energy in the first quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Community Financial Services Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Eastern Bank raised its position in shares of Cheniere Energy by 130.0% during the 3rd quarter. Eastern Bank now owns 115 shares of the energy company's stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the last quarter. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Cheniere Energy by 91.3% during the 2nd quarter. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC now owns 132 shares of the energy company's stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sankala Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. 87.26% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Cheniere Energy

Cheniere Energy, Inc is a Houston-based energy company focused on the production, liquefaction and export of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Through its subsidiaries, the company purchases natural gas, processes it into LNG and sells it to customers under long-term agreements and in the global LNG market. Its operations also include LNG-related infrastructure, marketing and transportation activities.

Cheniere's principal assets include the Sabine Pass LNG facility in Louisiana and the Corpus Christi LNG facility in Texas.

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