WNY Asset Management LLC Decreases Stock Holdings in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

WNY Asset Management LLC cut its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 18.5% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 23,289 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after selling 5,278 shares during the period. WNY Asset Management LLC's holdings in National Fuel Gas were worth $1,413,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in NFG. Kentucky Trust Co acquired a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. UMB Bank n.a. increased its stake in National Fuel Gas by 82.9% during the 4th quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 481 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 218 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter valued at $32,000. S.A. Mason LLC bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter valued at $38,000. Finally, Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd grew its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 223.2% in the 4th quarter. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd now owns 656 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 453 shares in the last quarter. 73.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

National Fuel Gas Trading Down 1.6%

NFG stock traded down $1.32 on Wednesday, reaching $81.85. The company's stock had a trading volume of 369,786 shares, compared to its average volume of 559,925. 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 cap of $7.40 billion, a PE ratio of -584.61 and a beta of 0.61. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $78.83 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $71.17. National Fuel Gas has a 12-month low of $53.03 and a 12-month high of $83.93.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 30th. The oil and gas producer reported $2.39 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.18 by $0.21. The business had revenue of $729.95 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates 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 for the quarter was up 15.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.79 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts forecast that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 EPS for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 31st were given a dividend of $0.515 per share. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.52%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 31st. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio is currently 479.07%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on NFG. 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 report on Friday, May 23rd. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, March 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, National Fuel Gas currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target 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.