Nuveen Asset Management LLC Sells 16,755 Shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Nuveen Asset Management LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 10.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 144,708 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after selling 16,755 shares during the quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC owned about 0.16% of National Fuel Gas worth $8,781,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Schroder Investment Management Group grew its position in National Fuel Gas by 4.0% during the fourth quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 9,122 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $551,000 after buying an additional 350 shares in the last quarter. Clear Creek Financial Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter worth about $238,000. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter worth about $67,393,000. ING Groep NV purchased a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter worth about $1,086,000. Finally, Proficio Capital Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter worth about $862,000. 73.96% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

NFG has been the subject of a number of research reports. Wall Street Zen upgraded National Fuel Gas from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday. Bank of America upped their price objective on National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock an "underperform" rating in a report on Friday, May 23rd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, March 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $82.33.

National Fuel Gas Trading Up 0.8%

NFG stock traded up $0.69 during trading on Monday, hitting $83.23. 368,105 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 558,719. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.52 billion, a PE ratio of -594.42 and a beta of 0.61. National Fuel Gas has a 1 year low of $53.03 and a 1 year high of $84.03. The company has a 50-day moving average of $79.14 and a 200-day moving average of $71.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a current ratio of 0.39.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The oil and gas producer reported $2.39 earnings per share 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 positive return on equity of 15.96% and a negative net margin of 0.53%. National Fuel Gas's quarterly revenue was up 15.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.79 EPS. Analysts predict that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Investors of record on Monday, March 31st were issued a dividend of $0.515 per share. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.48%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 31st. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio is presently 479.07%.

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.