Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG) Shares Acquired by WealthPlan Investment Management LLC

Key Points

• WealthPlan Investment Management LLC increased its stake in Cheniere Energy by 12.0%, owning a total of 20,269 shares valued at approximately $4.69 million.
• Cheniere Energy reported $5.44 billion in revenue for the last quarter, surpassing analyst estimates, despite an earnings per share (EPS) miss of $1.24.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.50, representing a 0.8% yield and a payout ratio of 14.63%.

WealthPlan Investment Management LLC grew its position in Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG - Free Report) by 12.0% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 20,269 shares of the energy company's stock after purchasing an additional 2,172 shares during the period. WealthPlan Investment Management LLC's holdings in Cheniere Energy were worth $4,690,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of LNG. Two Sigma Advisers LP lifted its stake in shares of Cheniere Energy by 84.6% in the 4th quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP now owns 1,651,500 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $354,858,000 after purchasing an additional 756,900 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its stake in shares of Cheniere Energy by 12.9% in the 1st quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 4,660,545 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $1,078,450,000 after purchasing an additional 534,033 shares in the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Cheniere Energy by 346.6% in the 1st quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 568,627 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $131,580,000 after purchasing an additional 441,296 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Cheniere Energy by 12.7% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 3,185,605 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $737,149,000 after purchasing an additional 359,435 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its stake in shares of Cheniere Energy by 25,232.4% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 342,241 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $79,195,000 after purchasing an additional 340,890 shares in the last quarter. 87.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently commented on LNG shares. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their target price on Cheniere Energy from $255.00 to $247.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Raymond James Financial reiterated a "strong-buy" rating on shares of Cheniere Energy in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Barclays reiterated an "overweight" rating and set a $262.00 target price (up from $253.00) on shares of Cheniere Energy in a report on Tuesday, July 15th. Scotiabank reiterated an "outperform" rating on shares of Cheniere Energy in a report on Tuesday, July 15th. Finally, Cowen reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Cheniere Energy in a report on Wednesday, June 25th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fifteen have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $260.36.

Cheniere Energy Price Performance

LNG stock opened at $235.92 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.24. Cheniere Energy, Inc. has a 52-week low of $175.14 and a 52-week high of $257.65. The stock's 50 day moving average is $235.89 and its two-hundred day moving average is $229.10. The company has a market capitalization of $52.32 billion, a PE ratio of 17.26 and a beta of 0.43.

Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 8th. The energy company reported $1.57 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.81 by ($1.24). The firm had revenue of $5.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.73 billion. Cheniere Energy had a return on equity of 32.62% and a net margin of 18.37%. Cheniere Energy's revenue was up 28.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.13 EPS. Analysts predict that Cheniere Energy, Inc. will post 11.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Cheniere Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 18th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 8th will be given a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 8th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.8%. Cheniere Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 14.63%.

Insider Activity at Cheniere Energy

In other news, Director Neal A. Shear sold 4,300 shares of Cheniere Energy stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $245.93, for a total value of $1,057,499.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 29,733 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,312,236.69. This trade represents a 12.63% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.26% of the company's stock.

About Cheniere Energy

Cheniere Energy, Inc, an energy infrastructure company, primarily engages in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) related businesses in the United States. It owns and operates the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana; and the Corpus Christi LNG terminal near Corpus Christi, Texas. The company also owns Creole Trail pipeline, a 94-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal with several interstate and intrastate pipelines; and operates Corpus Christi pipeline, a 21.5-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Corpus Christi LNG terminal with various interstate and intrastate natural gas pipelines.

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