Dark Forest Capital Management LP Purchases New Shares in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Dark Forest Capital Management LP bought a new position in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund bought 3,752 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock, valued at approximately $228,000.

Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Kentucky Trust Co purchased a new position in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. UMB Bank n.a. increased its stake 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 buying an additional 218 shares during the period. S.A. Mason LLC bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter valued at about $38,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd grew its stake 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 acquiring an additional 453 shares in the last quarter. Finally, V Square Quantitative Management LLC increased its position in shares of 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 worth $44,000 after acquiring an additional 239 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 73.96% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have commented on NFG shares. StockNews.com upgraded National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, March 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $74.67.

National Fuel Gas Stock Down 0.8 %

Shares of NYSE NFG traded down $0.64 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $81.81. 137,200 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 689,258. National Fuel Gas has a 1 year low of $53.03 and a 1 year high of $82.70. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $76.76 and a 200 day moving average of $68.83. The stock has a market cap of $7.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -584.50 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 released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The oil and gas producer reported $2.39 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.18 by $0.21. The business had revenue of $729.95 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $770.81 million. National Fuel Gas had a negative net margin of 0.53% and a positive return on equity of 15.96%. The company's revenue was up 15.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.79 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 31st were paid a $0.515 dividend. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.52%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 31st. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio (DPR) 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.