Ieq Capital LLC Raises Stake in Cheniere Energy, Inc. $LNG

Key Points

• Ieq Capital LLC significantly increased its stake in Cheniere Energy by 1,282.8% in Q1, acquiring 19,525 shares valued at approximately $4.5 million.
• Cheniere Energy reported impressive quarterly earnings of $7.30 per share, surpassing analysts' estimates by $4.95, and achieved a revenue of $4.64 billion, reflecting a 42.8% year-over-year increase.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.50 per share, which translates to an annualized dividend yield of 0.8%, with a payout ratio of 11.68%.

Ieq Capital LLC raised its holdings in Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG - Free Report) by 1,282.8% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 19,525 shares of the energy company's stock after purchasing an additional 18,113 shares during the quarter. Ieq Capital LLC's holdings in Cheniere Energy were worth $4,518,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Altman Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in Cheniere Energy by 0.4% in the first quarter. Altman Advisors Inc. now owns 10,162 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $2,348,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. Greenleaf Trust raised its position in shares of Cheniere Energy by 1.1% in the first quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 4,212 shares of the energy company's stock worth $975,000 after acquiring an additional 46 shares during the period. Hemington Wealth Management boosted its position in Cheniere Energy by 14.0% during the first quarter. Hemington Wealth Management now owns 390 shares of the energy company's stock worth $90,000 after purchasing an additional 48 shares in the last quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group grew its holdings in Cheniere Energy by 5.0% in the first quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 1,007 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $233,000 after purchasing an additional 48 shares during the period. Finally, BIP Wealth LLC increased its position in shares of Cheniere Energy by 1.4% in the fourth quarter. BIP Wealth LLC now owns 3,545 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $762,000 after buying an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. 87.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Cheniere Energy Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:LNG traded down $1.64 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $239.22. The company had a trading volume of 641,913 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,080,796. Cheniere Energy, Inc. has a twelve month low of $175.14 and a twelve month high of $257.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.96, a current ratio of 0.98 and a quick ratio of 0.85. The stock has a market cap of $52.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.96 and a beta of 0.43. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $235.59 and its 200-day simple moving average is $230.36.

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

Cheniere Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 18th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 8th were given 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 payout ratio is presently 11.68%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Cheniere Energy news, Director Neal A. Shear sold 4,300 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $245.93, for a total value of $1,057,499.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 29,733 shares of the company's stock, valued at $7,312,236.69. This represents a 12.63% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.26% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Bank of America increased their target price on Cheniere Energy from $258.00 to $271.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 25th. TD Cowen increased their target price on Cheniere Energy from $265.00 to $270.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, August 8th. Jefferies Financial Group set a $288.00 target price on Cheniere Energy and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, June 26th. Barclays reiterated an "overweight" rating and set a $262.00 price target (up from $253.00) on shares of Cheniere Energy in a research report on Tuesday, July 15th. Finally, Scotiabank restated an "outperform" rating on shares of Cheniere Energy in a report on Tuesday, July 15th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have given a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Cheniere Energy presently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $263.29.

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.