Los Angeles Capital Management LLC Takes Position in National Fuel Gas Company (NYSE:NFG)

Los Angeles Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas Company (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 182,928 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock, valued at approximately $14,486,000. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC owned about 0.20% of National Fuel Gas at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Schroder Investment Management Group raised its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 4.0% during the 4th quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 9,122 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $551,000 after buying an additional 350 shares during the last quarter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in National Fuel Gas in the 1st quarter worth approximately $203,000. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 5.7% during the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 13,184 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $1,044,000 after purchasing an additional 712 shares during the period. KBC Group NV increased its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 18.5% during the 1st quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 3,908 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $309,000 after purchasing an additional 609 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Greenleaf Trust acquired a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas in the 1st quarter valued at $259,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.96% of the company's stock.

National Fuel Gas Price Performance

NFG stock traded down $0.61 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $88.56. 650,199 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 573,527. The stock has a market cap of $8.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.35, a PEG ratio of 0.54 and a beta of 0.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a current ratio of 0.47. National Fuel Gas Company has a fifty-two week low of $56.29 and a fifty-two week high of $89.82. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $83.40 and its 200-day moving average price is $77.22.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The oil and gas producer reported $2.39 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.18 by $0.21. National Fuel Gas had a net margin of 1.91% and a return on equity of 18.55%. The firm had revenue of $729.95 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $770.81 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.79 EPS. National Fuel Gas's quarterly revenue was up 15.9% on a year-over-year basis. 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 firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 30th were given a $0.535 dividend. This is an increase from National Fuel Gas's previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. This represents a $2.14 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.42%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 30th. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 497.67%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of National Fuel Gas from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, July 12th. Scotiabank raised their price objective on shares of National Fuel Gas from $88.00 to $98.00 and gave the stock a "sector outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, July 11th. Finally, Bank of America upgraded shares of National Fuel Gas from an "underperform" rating to a "buy" rating and raised their price target for the stock from $85.00 to $107.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 15th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $95.33.

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.