Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET) Shares Down 0.8% - Here's Why

Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET - Get Free Report)'s share price fell 0.8% on Friday . The company traded as low as $19.71 and last traded at $19.78. 2,837,932 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 83% from the average session volume of 16,417,973 shares. The stock had previously closed at $19.94.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently weighed in on ET. Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on shares of Energy Transfer from $21.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Energy Transfer from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, January 13th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on shares of Energy Transfer from $20.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, December 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on shares of Energy Transfer from $17.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, December 19th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Energy Transfer from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, December 18th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $21.50.

Energy Transfer Stock Down 2.2 %

The firm has a market cap of $65.04 billion, a PE ratio of 14.81, a PEG ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 1.12. The company's 50-day simple moving average is $19.88 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $17.95.

Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly 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, 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 disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 7th were issued a $0.325 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 7th. This is a positive change from Energy Transfer's previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. This represents a $1.30 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.86%. Energy Transfer's dividend payout ratio is 101.56%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ET. Ameriflex Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Energy Transfer in the 4th quarter worth about $54,000. United Advisor Group LLC increased its stake in shares of Energy Transfer by 3.0% in the 4th quarter. United Advisor Group LLC now owns 18,540 shares of the pipeline company's stock worth $363,000 after acquiring an additional 534 shares in the last quarter. Sunbeam Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Energy Transfer in the 4th quarter worth about $369,000. Vermillion Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Energy Transfer in the 4th quarter worth about $46,000. Finally, AlphaCore Capital LLC increased its stake in shares of Energy Transfer by 20.5% in the 4th quarter. AlphaCore Capital LLC now owns 12,264 shares of the pipeline company's stock worth $240,000 after acquiring an additional 2,090 shares in the last quarter. 38.22% of the stock is currently owned by 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.