Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC Sells 31,369 Shares of Cheniere Energy, Inc. $LNG

Key Points

• Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC cut its stake in Cheniere by 9.0%, selling 31,369 shares and finishing the quarter with 316,065 shares (about 0.15% of the company) valued at roughly $62.52 million.
• Cheniere reported a strong quarter (EPS $10.68 vs. $3.90 estimate, revenue up 22.9% year‑over‑year) and its board authorized a $10.0 billion stock buyback (up to 21.1% of outstanding shares); the company also pays a $0.555 quarterly dividend (0.8% yield).
• Several institutions materially added or opened positions (e.g., State Street, AustralianSuper, Holocene), hedge funds own about 87.26% of the stock, and analysts have lifted price targets, leaving an average rating of "Moderate Buy" with a $284.29 target.

Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG - Free Report) by 9.0% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 316,065 shares of the energy company's stock after selling 31,369 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC owned 0.15% of Cheniere Energy worth $62,518,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of LNG. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd bought a new position in Cheniere Energy in the third quarter worth about $142,688,000. Holocene Advisors LP bought a new stake in shares of Cheniere Energy during the second quarter valued at approximately $107,319,000. State Street Corp boosted its position in shares of Cheniere Energy by 6.7% during the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 6,007,073 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $1,411,542,000 after purchasing an additional 377,369 shares in the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in Cheniere Energy by 21.5% in the third quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 2,025,609 shares of the energy company's stock worth $475,633,000 after purchasing an additional 359,123 shares during the period. Finally, Railway Pension Investments Ltd grew its stake in Cheniere Energy by 62.9% in the third quarter. Railway Pension Investments Ltd now owns 777,200 shares of the energy company's stock worth $182,626,000 after purchasing an additional 300,100 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.26% of the company's stock.

Cheniere Energy Trading Down 2.9%

Shares of NYSE:LNG opened at $275.50 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.81. Cheniere Energy, Inc. has a 1 year low of $186.20 and a 1 year high of $300.89. The company has a market cap of $57.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.34 and a beta of 0.13. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $239.82 and its 200-day moving average price is $221.18.

Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 25th. The energy company reported $10.68 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.90 by $6.78. The company had revenue of $5.45 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.48 billion. Cheniere Energy had a return on equity of 32.04% and a net margin of 26.68%.Cheniere Energy's revenue for the quarter was up 22.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $4.33 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Cheniere Energy, Inc. will post 11.69 earnings per share for the current year.

Cheniere Energy announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback program on Thursday, February 26th that authorizes the company to repurchase $10.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the energy company to buy up to 21.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are typically a sign that the company's management believes its stock is undervalued.

Cheniere Energy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 6th were issued a dividend of $0.555 per share. This represents a $2.22 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 6th. Cheniere Energy's payout ratio is presently 9.14%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

LNG has been the subject of several recent research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Cheniere Energy from $279.00 to $338.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, March 27th. UBS Group increased their price target on shares of Cheniere Energy from $305.00 to $340.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, March 26th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on shares of Cheniere Energy from $265.00 to $306.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, March 23rd. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on shares of Cheniere Energy from $276.00 to $312.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 24th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price objective on shares of Cheniere Energy from $282.00 to $271.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $284.29.

Cheniere Energy News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Cheniere Energy this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Record U.S. LNG flows and tighter global supply driven by Middle East conflict boost demand for U.S. exporters like Cheniere, supporting revenue prospects and utilization. US LNG exports break record high as Middle East war disrupts global supply
• Positive Sentiment: Market commentary and retail-media pieces name Cheniere a top-rated buy as energy prices and LNG spot strength could lift cash flows and margins for U.S. exporters over the near term. Energy Prices Could Soon ‘Skyrocket.’ Why Cheniere Is One of the Top-Rated Stocks to Buy Now.
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst upgrades and a run to a 52‑week high reflect bullish institutional sentiment and helped trigger momentum earlier this week. Cheniere Energy NYSE: LNG Reaches New 52-Week High Following Analyst Upgrade
• Positive Sentiment: Damage to major Qatari LNG infrastructure shifts Asian/European demand toward U.S. supply and highlights Cheniere’s growth and buyback potential as a beneficiary of re‑routing. Qatar LNG Shock Puts Focus On Cheniere’s Growth And Buyback Potential
• Neutral Sentiment: Company history and leadership commentary underscore long-term execution and industry position but don't change near-term cash flow dynamics. From First Cargo to Global Giant: Jack Fusco Reflects on a Decade of Cheniere LNG Dominance
• Neutral Sentiment: Broader market narratives label energy names defensive amid geopolitical risk, which can support interest in LNG stocks but is not an immediate catalyst. Hot Picks: Energy stocks seen as defensive amid risks
• Negative Sentiment: Analysis argues much of the long-term benefit from global LNG disruptions is already priced into Cheniere’s stock, implying limited upside and raising pullback risk. Cheniere's Long-Term Boost From Global LNG Disruptions Largely Priced Into Stock
• Negative Sentiment: After recent gains and a 52‑week high, elevated volume and profit‑taking are normal; combined with already‑backed long‑term contracts that limit spot exposure, this compresses near‑term upside.

Cheniere Energy Company Profile

Cheniere Energy, Inc is a U.S.-based energy company that develops, owns and operates liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure and markets LNG to global customers. The company's core activities include natural gas liquefaction, long‑term and short‑term LNG sales and marketing, and the associated midstream services required to move gas from production basins to international markets. Cheniere focuses on converting domestic natural gas into LNG for export, providing a bridge between North American supply and overseas demand.

Cheniere's principal operating assets are large-scale LNG export terminals located on the U.S.

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