National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) Stock Holdings Increased by Wellington Management Group LLP

Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 142.7% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 144,317 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after purchasing an additional 84,860 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP owned 0.16% of National Fuel Gas worth $8,757,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Kentucky Trust Co acquired a new position in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Quarry LP acquired a new position in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new position in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter valued at about $36,000. S.A. Mason LLC bought a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter worth about $38,000. Finally, Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd raised its position in shares of 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 worth $40,000 after buying an additional 453 shares in the last quarter. 73.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

National Fuel Gas Price Performance

Shares of NFG stock traded up $0.91 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $82.51. 325,589 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 557,866. National Fuel Gas has a 12 month low of $53.03 and a 12 month high of $84.27. The company has a market cap of $7.46 billion, a P/E ratio of -589.34 and a beta of 0.62. The company's 50 day moving average price is $79.41 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $72.26. 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 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. National Fuel Gas had a negative net margin of 0.53% and a positive return on equity of 15.96%. The business had revenue of $729.95 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $770.81 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.79 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 15.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts expect that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Investors of record on Monday, March 31st were issued a $0.515 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 31st. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.50%. National Fuel Gas's payout ratio is currently 479.07%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have commented on NFG shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of 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 upgraded shares of National Fuel Gas from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, May 30th. Finally, Bank of America boosted their price target on shares of National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock an "underperform" rating in a research report on Friday, May 23rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, two have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $82.33.

About National Fuel Gas

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.