SG Americas Securities LLC Invests $900,000 in National Fuel Gas Company (NYSE:NFG)

SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new position in National Fuel Gas Company (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 11,362 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock, valued at approximately $900,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in NFG. Quarry LP acquired a new position in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new position in National Fuel Gas during the fourth quarter worth approximately $36,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd raised its stake in National Fuel Gas by 223.2% during the 4th quarter. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd now owns 656 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 453 shares during the last quarter. Cranbrook Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in National Fuel Gas in the 1st quarter valued at $40,000. Finally, IAG Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in National Fuel Gas during the fourth quarter worth about $46,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.96% of the company's stock.

National Fuel Gas Trading Up 0.3%

NFG traded up $0.24 during trading on Friday, hitting $85.66. 676,059 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 558,715. National Fuel Gas Company has a 1 year low of $53.88 and a 1 year high of $86.17. The firm has a market cap of $7.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 199.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 0.62. The company has a current ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $81.17 and a 200 day moving average price of $73.76.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 30th. The oil and gas producer reported $2.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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 company had revenue of $729.95 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $770.81 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.79 earnings per share. National Fuel Gas's revenue for the quarter was up 15.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that National Fuel Gas Company will post 6.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

National Fuel Gas Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 30th will be given a dividend of $0.535 per share. This represents a $2.14 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.50%. This is a boost from National Fuel Gas's previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 30th. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio is presently 479.07%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

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

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.