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

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

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in NFG. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $67,393,000. Northern Trust Corp increased its stake in National Fuel Gas by 37.9% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 1,019,072 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $61,837,000 after buying an additional 279,857 shares during the period. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter worth $16,906,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter worth $9,067,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in National Fuel Gas by 13,154.2% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 131,614 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $10,423,000 after buying an additional 130,621 shares during the last quarter. 73.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

National Fuel Gas Stock Up 1.0%

Shares of NFG stock traded up $0.85 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $85.42. 694,767 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 559,257. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 198.66, a P/E/G ratio of 0.54 and a beta of 0.62. National Fuel Gas Company has a one year low of $53.88 and a one year high of $85.80. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $80.76 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $73.36. 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 (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The oil and gas producer reported $2.39 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.18 by $0.21. The company had revenue of $729.95 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $770.81 million. National Fuel Gas had a return on equity of 18.55% and a net margin of 1.91%. National Fuel Gas's quarterly revenue was up 15.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.79 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that National Fuel Gas Company will post 6.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

National Fuel Gas Increases Dividend

The firm 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 $0.535 dividend. This is an increase from National Fuel Gas's previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. This represents a $2.14 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.51%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 30th. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 497.67%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 13th. Wall Street Zen raised National Fuel Gas from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Saturday, June 14th. Finally, Bank of America increased their target price on 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 equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $82.33.

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.