Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET) Trading Down 0.2% - Should You Sell?

Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET - Get Free Report) shares fell 0.2% during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $20.13 and last traded at $20.20. 2,922,559 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 79% from the average session volume of 13,965,292 shares. The stock had previously closed at $20.25.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

ET has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Energy Transfer from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on shares of Energy Transfer from $17.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, December 19th. Bank of America assumed coverage on Energy Transfer in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $20.00 price objective for the company. Barclays upped their target price on Energy Transfer from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on Energy Transfer from $20.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, December 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Energy Transfer has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $20.82.

Energy Transfer Trading Up 0.2 %

The firm has a market cap of $69.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.91, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.57 and a beta of 1.70. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $18.96 and a 200-day simple moving average of $17.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 1.08 and a quick ratio of 0.88.

Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 6th. The pipeline company reported $0.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.32. Energy Transfer had a net margin of 5.90% and a return on equity of 12.38%. The business had revenue of $20.77 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.59 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.31 EPS. Energy Transfer's revenue was up .2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts expect that Energy Transfer LP will post 1.34 earnings per share for the current year.

Energy Transfer Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, November 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 8th were given a dividend of $0.3225 per share. This represents a $1.29 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.36%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 8th. Energy Transfer's payout ratio is presently 94.85%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Energy Transfer

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Private Client Services LLC grew its holdings in Energy Transfer by 3.1% during the fourth quarter. Private Client Services LLC now owns 16,915 shares of the pipeline company's stock worth $331,000 after buying an additional 511 shares in the last quarter. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Energy Transfer by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC now owns 160,678 shares of the pipeline company's stock worth $3,148,000 after acquiring an additional 547 shares during the last quarter. Marcum Wealth LLC grew its stake in shares of Energy Transfer by 4.6% in the 4th quarter. Marcum Wealth LLC now owns 12,847 shares of the pipeline company's stock worth $252,000 after acquiring an additional 561 shares in the last quarter. Financial Freedom LLC raised its holdings in shares of Energy Transfer by 26.8% in the fourth quarter. Financial Freedom LLC now owns 2,906 shares of the pipeline company's stock valued at $57,000 after purchasing an additional 614 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fortis Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Energy Transfer by 2.0% during the third quarter. Fortis Capital Management LLC now owns 31,956 shares of the pipeline company's stock valued at $513,000 after purchasing an additional 634 shares in the last quarter. 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.