Edmp Inc. Grows Holdings in National Fuel Gas Company (NYSE:NFG)

Edmp Inc. raised its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas Company (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 35.0% in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 35,710 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after buying an additional 9,262 shares during the quarter. National Fuel Gas comprises about 2.4% of Edmp Inc.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 13th biggest holding. Edmp Inc.'s holdings in National Fuel Gas were worth $2,828,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Quarry LP bought a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. purchased a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter valued at $36,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd increased its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 223.2% in the 4th quarter. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd now owns 656 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 453 shares in the last quarter. Cranbrook Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas in the 1st quarter worth $40,000. Finally, Inlight Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas in the first quarter worth $40,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.96% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently commented on NFG. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 13th. 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 lifted their price target on shares of National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock an "underperform" rating in a research note on Friday, May 23rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $82.33.

National Fuel Gas Stock Performance

National Fuel Gas stock traded up $0.72 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $84.36. 451,021 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 560,664. National Fuel Gas Company has a 12-month low of $53.88 and a 12-month high of $86.45. The business's 50-day moving average is $81.59 and its 200-day moving average is $74.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 0.47 and a quick ratio of 0.43. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.62 billion, a PE ratio of 196.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 0.62.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 30th. The oil and gas producer reported $2.39 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.18 by $0.21. The firm had revenue of $729.95 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $770.81 million. National Fuel Gas had a net margin of 1.91% and a return on equity of 18.55%. The business's quarterly revenue was up 15.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.79 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that National Fuel Gas Company will post 6.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

National Fuel Gas Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Investors of record on Monday, June 30th will be issued a $0.535 dividend. This is a boost 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 2.54%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 30th. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 479.07%.

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.