Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET) Stock Price Expected to Rise, Stifel Nicolaus Analyst Says

Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET - Free Report) had its target price boosted by Stifel Nicolaus from $21.00 to $23.00 in a research report report published on Wednesday morning,Benzinga reports. Stifel Nicolaus currently has a buy rating on the pipeline company's stock.

Several other research firms also recently weighed in on ET. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Energy Transfer from $20.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, December 9th. Barclays boosted 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. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Energy Transfer from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 18th. Bank of America began coverage on shares of Energy Transfer in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $20.00 price target for the company. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on shares of Energy Transfer from $17.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday, December 19th. 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.com, Energy Transfer has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $21.18.

Energy Transfer Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:ET traded up $0.16 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $19.98. The company had a trading volume of 10,422,402 shares, compared to its average volume of 17,631,726. The company has a current ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. The firm has a market cap of $68.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.69, a PEG ratio of 0.52 and a beta of 1.69. The company's 50-day moving average price is $19.78 and its 200-day moving average price is $17.76. Energy Transfer has a one year low of $14.09 and a one year high of $21.45.

Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET - Get Free Report) last issued its 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 5.90% and a return on equity of 12.38%. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Energy Transfer will post 1.37 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Energy Transfer Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 19th. Investors of record on Friday, February 7th will be paid a $0.325 dividend. This is an increase from Energy Transfer's previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. This represents a $1.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.51%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 7th. Energy Transfer's dividend payout ratio is presently 94.85%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Energy Transfer

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. South Plains Financial Inc. bought a new position in Energy Transfer in the fourth quarter worth about $54,000. Castalian Partners LLC bought a new position in Energy Transfer in the fourth quarter worth about $4,420,000. Bridgewealth Advisory Group LLC bought a new position in Energy Transfer in the fourth quarter worth about $243,000. Lido Advisors LLC raised its stake in Energy Transfer by 2.9% in the fourth quarter. Lido Advisors LLC now owns 320,734 shares of the pipeline company's stock worth $6,283,000 after buying an additional 8,901 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Energy Transfer by 16.5% in the fourth quarter. Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC now owns 1,307,190 shares of the pipeline company's stock worth $25,608,000 after purchasing an additional 185,345 shares during the period. 38.22% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Energy Transfer

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.