Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET) Stock Price Down 0.3% - Time to Sell?

Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET - Get Free Report) traded down 0.3% during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $16.13 and last traded at $16.14. 5,521,307 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 64% from the average session volume of 15,345,780 shares. The stock had previously closed at $16.19.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently commented on ET shares. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Energy Transfer from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, January 13th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Energy Transfer from $20.00 to $26.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, March 25th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an "outperform" rating and set a $23.00 price objective on shares of Energy Transfer in a report on Tuesday, March 25th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on Energy Transfer from $21.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on Energy Transfer from $22.00 to $21.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Energy Transfer presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $22.09.

Energy Transfer Price Performance

The company has a market cap of $59.09 billion, a PE ratio of 13.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 0.77. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $17.46 and a 200-day simple moving average of $18.51.

Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 6th. The pipeline company reported $0.36 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.33 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $21.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.28 billion. Energy Transfer had a net margin of 5.74% and a return on equity of 11.56%. Energy Transfer's revenue was down 2.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.32 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Energy Transfer LP will post 1.46 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Energy Transfer Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.3275 per share. This represents a $1.31 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.61%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 9th. This is a positive change from Energy Transfer's previous quarterly dividend of $0.33. Energy Transfer's dividend payout ratio is currently 102.34%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Mountain Hill Investment Partners Corp. purchased a new stake in shares of Energy Transfer during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Capital A Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Energy Transfer during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. GAMMA Investing LLC acquired a new position in Energy Transfer during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of Energy Transfer in the fourth quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Vision Financial Markets LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Energy Transfer during the first quarter worth $33,000. 38.22% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.