GAMMA Investing LLC Grows Position in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 13,154.2% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 131,614 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after purchasing an additional 130,621 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC owned approximately 0.15% of National Fuel Gas worth $10,423,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of NFG. Kentucky Trust Co purchased a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Quarry LP purchased a new position in National Fuel Gas during the fourth quarter worth $32,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. bought a new position in National Fuel Gas during the fourth quarter valued at $36,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd raised its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 223.2% in the fourth quarter. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd now owns 656 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 453 shares during the period. Finally, V Square Quantitative Management LLC raised its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 49.5% in the fourth quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 722 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $44,000 after acquiring an additional 239 shares during the period. 73.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

National Fuel Gas Trading Up 1.1%

Shares of NFG traded up $0.91 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $82.51. 325,589 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 559,132. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $79.41 and its 200 day moving average price is $72.33. The company has a current ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. The firm has a market cap of $7.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -589.34 and a beta of 0.62. National Fuel Gas has a 12-month low of $53.03 and a 12-month high of $84.27.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 30th. The oil and gas producer reported $2.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.18 by $0.21. The company had revenue of $729.95 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $770.81 million. National Fuel Gas had a negative net margin of 0.53% and a positive return on equity of 15.96%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 15.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.79 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 31st were issued a dividend of $0.515 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 31st. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.50%. National Fuel Gas's payout ratio is currently 479.07%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently commented on NFG. 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. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price 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. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded National Fuel Gas from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, May 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, National Fuel Gas has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $82.33.

National Fuel Gas Company Profile

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.