Optas LLC Purchases New Holdings in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Optas LLC acquired a new position in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 3,045 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock, valued at approximately $241,000.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of NFG. V Square Quantitative Management LLC increased its position in shares of National Fuel Gas by 49.5% during the fourth quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 722 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $44,000 after purchasing an additional 239 shares in the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP raised its position in shares of National Fuel Gas by 46.8% in the fourth quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,814 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $110,000 after buying an additional 578 shares during the last quarter. Cardinal Capital Management lifted its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 0.9% in the fourth quarter. Cardinal Capital Management now owns 93,429 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $5,717,000 after buying an additional 799 shares in the last quarter. C2P Capital Advisory Group LLC d.b.a. Prosperity Capital Advisors acquired a new position in National Fuel Gas during the fourth quarter worth about $367,000. Finally, ING Groep NV purchased a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter valued at about $1,086,000. 73.96% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on NFG shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, March 13th. Wall Street Zen raised National Fuel Gas from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Saturday. Finally, Bank of America boosted their price target on shares of National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $85.00 and gave the company an "underperform" rating in a research report on Friday, May 23rd. One 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 assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, National Fuel Gas has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $82.33.

National Fuel Gas Trading Down 0.1%

Shares of National Fuel Gas stock opened at $84.11 on Monday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $80.13 and a 200 day moving average of $73.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a current ratio of 0.39. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -600.74 and a beta of 0.62. National Fuel Gas has a fifty-two week low of $53.03 and a fifty-two week high of $84.60.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The oil and gas producer reported $2.39 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.18 by $0.21. The business 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%. The company's 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. As a group, research analysts predict that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Investors of record on Monday, June 30th will be issued a $0.535 dividend. This represents a $2.14 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.54%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 30th. This is an increase from National Fuel Gas's previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 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.

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