Nkcfo LLC Makes New Investment in National Fuel Gas Company (NYSE:NFG)

Key Points

• Nkcfo LLC has acquired 55,100 shares of National Fuel Gas Company, valued at approximately $4.36 million, making it the firm's 15th largest holding.
• National Fuel Gas recently raised its quarterly dividend from $0.52 to $0.535 per share, representing an annual yield of 2.47%.
• Wall Street analysts have mixed ratings on National Fuel Gas, with a current consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $95.33.

Nkcfo LLC purchased a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas Company (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 55,100 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock, valued at approximately $4,363,000. National Fuel Gas makes up approximately 2.0% of Nkcfo LLC's holdings, making the stock its 15th biggest holding. Nkcfo LLC owned about 0.06% of National Fuel Gas at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of NFG. Assetmark Inc. lifted its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 9,475.0% during the 1st quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 383 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 379 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. purchased a new stake in National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd lifted its stake in 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. Finally, Cranbrook Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in National Fuel Gas in the 1st quarter worth approximately $40,000. 73.96% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

NFG has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Scotiabank increased their target price on shares of National Fuel Gas from $88.00 to $98.00 and gave the stock a "sector outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, July 11th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of National Fuel Gas from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, July 12th. Finally, Bank of America upgraded shares of National Fuel Gas from an "underperform" rating to a "buy" rating and increased their target price for the stock from $85.00 to $107.00 in a research note on Tuesday, July 15th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $95.33.

National Fuel Gas Trading Down 0.9%

Shares of NFG stock traded down $0.83 on Thursday, hitting $87.49. 429,870 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 641,576. 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 one year low of $56.29 and a one year high of $89.82. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $84.50 and its 200 day simple moving average is $78.43. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 203.47, a P/E/G ratio of 0.52 and a beta of 0.62.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 30th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.64 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.50 by $0.14. National Fuel Gas had a net margin of 1.91% and a return on equity of 18.55%. The company had revenue of $531.83 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $596.12 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.99 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 27.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts forecast that National Fuel Gas Company will post 6.64 EPS for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Investors of record on Monday, June 30th were issued a dividend of $0.535 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 30th. This represents a $2.14 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.45%. This is a positive change from National Fuel Gas's previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 497.67%.

National Fuel Gas 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.