Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) Given Average Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Analysts

Shares of Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET - Get Free Report) have been assigned an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the eleven brokerages that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $22.09.

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on ET. Citigroup reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Energy Transfer in a research note on Monday, March 24th. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Energy Transfer from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, January 13th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Energy Transfer from $20.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 25th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on shares of Energy Transfer from $21.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, UBS Group restated a "buy" rating on shares of Energy Transfer in a research note on Tuesday, March 4th.

Energy Transfer Price Performance

Energy Transfer stock traded up $0.40 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $16.94. The company had a trading volume of 3,768,296 shares, compared to its average volume of 17,103,064. The company has a market capitalization of $58.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.23, a P/E/G ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42, a current ratio of 1.12 and a quick ratio of 0.88. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $17.78 and its 200-day simple moving average is $18.48. Energy Transfer has a 1 year low of $14.60 and a 1 year high of $21.45.

Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The pipeline company reported $0.29 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.35 by ($0.06). Energy Transfer had a net margin of 5.74% and a return on equity of 11.56%. On average, equities analysts predict that Energy Transfer will post 1.46 EPS for the current year.

Energy Transfer Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 20th. Investors of record on Friday, May 9th will be issued a $0.3275 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 9th. This represents a $1.31 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.74%. This is an increase from Energy Transfer's previous quarterly dividend of $0.33. Energy Transfer's dividend payout ratio is presently 102.34%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Energy Transfer

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Mountain Hill Investment Partners Corp. acquired a new position in shares of Energy Transfer during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Capital A Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Energy Transfer in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. GAMMA Investing LLC acquired a new stake in Energy Transfer during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC bought a new stake in Energy Transfer during the fourth quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, United Community Bank acquired a new position in Energy Transfer in the fourth quarter worth approximately $35,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 38.22% of the company's stock.

Energy Transfer Company Profile

Energy Transfer LP provides energy-related services. The company owns and operates natural gas transportation pipeline, and natural gas storage facilities in Texas and Oklahoma; and approximately 20,090 miles of interstate natural gas pipeline. It also sells natural gas to electric utilities, independent power plants, local distribution and other marketing companies, and industrial end-users.