3,362 Shares in National Fuel Gas Company (NYSE:NFG) Bought by Cooper Financial Group

Key Points

• Cooper Financial Group has acquired a new stake in National Fuel Gas Company (NYSE:NFG), purchasing 3,362 shares valued at approximately $266,000.
• National Fuel Gas recently reported a quarterly EPS of $1.64, exceeding analysts' estimates, while also announcing an increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.535 per share, marking an annualized yield of 2.4%.
• Analysts have varied ratings on the stock, with Bank of America upgrading it to a "buy" rating and raising the target price from $85 to $107, while two analysts hold a "hold" rating.

Cooper Financial Group purchased a new stake in National Fuel Gas Company (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 3,362 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock, valued at approximately $266,000.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Assetmark Inc. raised its holdings in National Fuel Gas by 9,475.0% during the 1st quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 383 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 379 shares during the period. Quarry LP acquired a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. Cranbrook Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the 1st quarter worth approximately $40,000. Finally, Inlight Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the 1st quarter worth approximately $40,000. 73.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have commented on NFG. Scotiabank restated an "outperform" rating on shares of National Fuel Gas in a report on Wednesday. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of National Fuel Gas from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Sunday. Finally, Bank of America upgraded shares of National Fuel Gas from an "underperform" rating to a "buy" rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $85.00 to $107.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 15th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $96.67.

National Fuel Gas Stock Up 0.3%

Shares of NYSE NFG traded up $0.25 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $88.01. The company's stock had a trading volume of 532,001 shares, compared to its average volume of 672,011. The company has a current ratio of 0.46, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. National Fuel Gas Company has a fifty-two week low of $58.30 and a fifty-two week high of $89.82. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.09, a PEG ratio of 0.51 and a beta of 0.65. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $85.48 and a 200-day simple moving average of $79.79.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 30th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.50 by $0.14. National Fuel Gas had a net margin of 11.15% and a return on equity of 20.81%. The company had revenue of $531.83 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $596.12 million. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.99 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 27.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that National Fuel Gas Company will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Investors of record on Monday, June 30th were issued a dividend of $0.535 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 30th. This is a positive change from National Fuel Gas's previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. This represents a $2.14 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.4%. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio is presently 80.45%.

About National Fuel Gas

National Fuel Gas Company operates as a diversified energy company. It operates through four segments: Exploration and Production, Pipeline and Storage, Gathering, and Utility. The Exploration and Production segment explores for, develops, and produces natural gas and oil. The Pipeline and Storage segment provides interstate natural gas transportation services through an integrated gas pipeline system in Pennsylvania and New York; and owns and operates underground natural gas storage fields.