Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET) Shares Down 0.8% - What's Next?

Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET - Get Free Report) shares fell 0.8% on Monday . The company traded as low as $17.32 and last traded at $17.31. 2,772,813 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 82% from the average session volume of 15,231,998 shares. The stock had previously closed at $17.45.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on ET. Citigroup restated a "buy" rating on shares of Energy Transfer in a research report on Monday, March 24th. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on Energy Transfer from $20.00 to $26.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 25th. Barclays boosted their price target on Energy Transfer from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, January 13th. Stifel Nicolaus upped 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 reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Energy Transfer in a research note on Tuesday, March 4th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $22.09.

Energy Transfer Stock Performance

The company has a fifty day moving average of $17.78 and a 200 day moving average of $18.48. The stock has a market cap of $56.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.91, a PEG 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.

Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The pipeline company reported $0.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates 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 LP will post 1.46 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Energy Transfer Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 9th will be given a $0.3275 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 9th. This represents a $1.31 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.92%. This is a boost from Energy Transfer's previous quarterly dividend of $0.33. Energy Transfer's payout ratio is currently 102.34%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ET. Mountain Hill Investment Partners Corp. bought a new stake in Energy Transfer during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Capital A Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Energy Transfer during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. GAMMA Investing LLC bought a new position in shares of Energy Transfer during the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC bought a new position in Energy Transfer in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Finally, United Community Bank bought a new position in Energy Transfer during the 4th quarter worth about $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.