Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET) Trading Down 5.1% - Time to Sell?

Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET - Get Free Report) shares were down 5.1% on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $17.71 and last traded at $17.97. Approximately 13,085,045 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 10% from the average daily volume of 14,571,718 shares. The stock had previously closed at $18.93.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. UBS Group restated a "buy" rating on shares of Energy Transfer in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on Energy Transfer from $21.00 to $23.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Energy Transfer from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on Energy Transfer from $17.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, December 19th. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Energy Transfer from $20.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 25th. 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 stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $22.09.

Energy Transfer Stock Down 1.5 %

The business's fifty day moving average price is $19.18 and its 200 day moving average price is $18.46. The firm has a market capitalization of $54.61 billion, a PE ratio of 12.43, a PEG ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.32. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42.

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

Energy Transfer Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 7th were issued a $0.325 dividend. This represents a $1.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.17%. This is an increase from Energy Transfer's previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 7th. Energy Transfer's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 101.56%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

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