Everstar Asset Management LLC Takes Position in Cheniere Energy, Inc. $LNG

Key Points

• Everstar Asset Management LLC has acquired a new stake in Cheniere Energy, purchasing 16,955 shares valued at approximately $3.92 million, making it the company's 22nd largest holding.
• Cheniere Energy reported impressive quarterly earnings, with an EPS of $7.30—significantly higher than analysts' expectations of $2.35—and a year-over-year revenue increase of 42.8%.
• The company recently declared a quarterly dividend of $0.50, representing an annualized yield of 0.8%, with a low payout ratio of 11.68%.

Everstar Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG - Free Report) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 16,955 shares of the energy company's stock, valued at approximately $3,923,000. Cheniere Energy accounts for about 0.7% of Everstar Asset Management LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 22nd largest position.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. REAP Financial Group LLC grew its position in shares of Cheniere Energy by 150.0% in the 4th quarter. REAP Financial Group LLC now owns 125 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 75 shares during the period. Cooksen Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy in the 1st quarter valued at about $38,000. WPG Advisers LLC bought a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy in the 1st quarter valued at about $38,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $42,000. Finally, Tsfg LLC grew its position in shares of Cheniere Energy by 676.0% in the 1st quarter. Tsfg LLC now owns 194 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $45,000 after acquiring an additional 169 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 87.26% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently commented on the stock. Mizuho lifted their target price on shares of Cheniere Energy from $268.00 to $273.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, August 29th. Cowen reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Cheniere Energy in a report on Friday, August 8th. Bank of America lifted their target price on shares of Cheniere Energy from $258.00 to $271.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, June 25th. TD Cowen lifted their target price on shares of Cheniere Energy from $265.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, August 8th. Finally, Barclays reiterated an "overweight" rating and set a $262.00 price objective (up previously from $253.00) on shares of Cheniere Energy in a research report on Tuesday, July 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $263.29.

Cheniere Energy Price Performance

Shares of LNG stock traded down $0.20 during trading on Thursday, hitting $236.84. The company had a trading volume of 1,571,188 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,067,253. The firm has a market capitalization of $52.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.83 and a beta of 0.43. Cheniere Energy, Inc. has a one year low of $176.56 and a one year high of $257.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.96, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 0.98. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $235.17 and its 200 day moving average price is $230.99.

Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 7th. The energy company reported $7.30 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.35 by $4.95. The firm had revenue of $4.64 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.48 billion. Cheniere Energy had a return on equity of 37.83% and a net margin of 21.05%.The company's quarterly revenue was up 42.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $3.84 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Cheniere Energy, Inc. will post 11.69 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Cheniere Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 18th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 8th were issued a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 8th. Cheniere Energy's dividend payout ratio is 11.68%.

Cheniere Energy Company Profile

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.