US Bancorp DE Grows Stock Holdings in Cheniere Energy, Inc. $LNG

Key Points

• US Bancorp DE increased its stake in Cheniere by 2.9% to 161,627 shares, valued at about $31.42 million (roughly 0.08% of the company).
• Cheniere reported a strong quarter with EPS $10.68 versus a $3.90 estimate and revenue up 22.9% year‑over‑year, and its board authorized a $10.00 billion share buyback program that could repurchase up to 21.1% of outstanding shares.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.555 (annualized $2.22, ~0.8% yield), while insiders sold notable blocks of stock and analysts have been raising price targets, leaving a consensus rating of Moderate Buy with a $295.56 target.

US Bancorp DE boosted its position in Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG - Free Report) by 2.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 161,627 shares of the energy company's stock after acquiring an additional 4,622 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE owned about 0.08% of Cheniere Energy worth $31,419,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Salomon & Ludwin LLC purchased a new stake in Cheniere Energy in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in Cheniere Energy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new stake in Cheniere Energy in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Accordant Advisory Group Inc purchased a new stake in Cheniere Energy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. grew its stake in Cheniere Energy by 250.0% in the 3rd quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 140 shares of the energy company's stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. 87.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Cheniere Energy Stock Down 1.8%

Shares of LNG opened at $270.03 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $56.74 billion, a PE ratio of 11.11 and a beta of 0.07. The company's fifty day moving average is $261.59 and its two-hundred day moving average is $225.94. Cheniere Energy, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $186.20 and a fifty-two week high of $300.89. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74.

Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The energy company reported $10.68 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $3.90 by $6.78. The company had revenue of $5.45 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.48 billion. Cheniere Energy had a net margin of 26.68% and a return on equity of 32.04%. Cheniere Energy's revenue for the quarter was up 22.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $4.33 EPS. Analysts forecast that Cheniere Energy, Inc. will post 13.97 earnings per share for the current year.

Cheniere Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 19th. Investors of record on Monday, May 11th will be issued a dividend of $0.555 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 11th. This represents a $2.22 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.8%. Cheniere Energy's payout ratio is presently 9.14%.

Cheniere Energy declared that its board has authorized a stock buyback plan on Thursday, February 26th that allows the company to buyback $10.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the energy company to reacquire up to 21.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are generally a sign that the company's management believes its stock is undervalued.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

LNG has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Cheniere Energy from $305.00 to $340.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, March 26th. Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Cheniere Energy from $280.00 to $330.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, April 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on shares of Cheniere Energy from $275.00 to $330.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on shares of Cheniere Energy from $276.00 to $312.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, March 24th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on shares of Cheniere Energy from $265.00 to $306.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, March 23rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Cheniere Energy currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $295.56.

Key Stories Impacting Cheniere Energy

Here are the key news stories impacting Cheniere Energy this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Technical strength: Cheniere’s relative strength (RS) rating rose to 83, a sign some traders view the stock as outperforming peers, which can support near‑term buying interest. RS Rating Rise
• Positive Sentiment: Near‑term estimate upgrades: US Capital Advisors raised Q1 and Q2 2026 EPS forecasts (Q1 to $3.00, Q2 to $2.61), which may support expectations for stronger early‑year cash generation. (Source: Market commentary)
• Neutral Sentiment: Earnings preview: Market previews (Yahoo/Zacks) expect earnings to grow but flag that Cheniere may not have the setup for an earnings beat in the upcoming report — a mixed signal for investors awaiting the print. Earnings Preview
• Neutral Sentiment: Ticker/name noise: A separate company (LNG Energy Group) announced a partial revocation of a cease‑trade order and a proposed private placement. That press item concerns a different, smaller LNG‑tickered firm and can cause occasional investor/ticker confusion but does not affect Cheniere’s fundamentals. LNG Energy Group Release
• Negative Sentiment: Macro headwind — US natural‑gas glut: Reuters reports a domestic gas surplus even as Asia/Europe scramble for cargoes; an oversupplied U.S. market can compress basis/park‑and‑pay dynamics and create logistical/pricing pressure that may weigh on export economics or margins over time. US Gas Glut Story
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst downgrades/mixed revisions: US Capital Advisors trimmed some FY2026/FY2027 and Q4 2026 EPS estimates (small cuts to full‑year/quarterly forecasts), which can pressure expectations and share price until fresh guidance or results arrive. (Source: Market commentary)

Insider Buying and Selling at Cheniere Energy

In related news, EVP Sean N. Markowitz sold 22,246 shares of Cheniere Energy stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $290.98, for a total transaction of $6,473,141.08. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 64,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,622,720. The trade was a 25.79% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CFO Zach Davis sold 29,000 shares of Cheniere Energy stock in a transaction on Monday, March 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $300.00, for a total transaction of $8,700,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 87,146 shares in the company, valued at $26,143,800. The trade was a 24.97% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders own 0.55% of the company's stock.

About Cheniere Energy

Cheniere Energy, Inc is a U.S.-based energy company that develops, owns and operates liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure and markets LNG to global customers. The company's core activities include natural gas liquefaction, long‑term and short‑term LNG sales and marketing, and the associated midstream services required to move gas from production basins to international markets. Cheniere focuses on converting domestic natural gas into LNG for export, providing a bridge between North American supply and overseas demand.

Cheniere's principal operating assets are large-scale LNG export terminals located on the U.S.

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