Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET) Stock Price Down 1.8% - Time to Sell?

Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET - Get Free Report)'s share price fell 1.8% on Monday . The stock traded as low as $16.21 and last traded at $16.37. 6,032,492 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 61% from the average session volume of 15,333,957 shares. The stock had previously closed at $16.67.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ET has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. UBS Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Energy Transfer in a research note on Tuesday, March 4th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $23.00 price target on shares of Energy Transfer in a report on Tuesday, March 25th. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Energy Transfer from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, January 13th. Citigroup restated a "buy" rating on shares of Energy Transfer in a research note on Monday, March 24th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on Energy Transfer from $21.00 to $23.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. 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 MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $22.09.

Energy Transfer Price Performance

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 stock has a market cap of $56.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.76, a P/E/G ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.32. The company's 50 day moving average price is $17.69 and its 200-day moving average price is $18.51.

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

Energy Transfer Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 9th will be given a $0.3275 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 9th. This represents a $1.31 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.02%. This is an increase from Energy Transfer's previous quarterly dividend of $0.33. Energy Transfer's payout ratio is 102.34%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Energy Transfer

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

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