First Trust Advisors LP Has $72.17 Million Holdings in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

First Trust Advisors LP decreased its position in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 9.9% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 1,189,400 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after selling 130,868 shares during the quarter. First Trust Advisors LP owned about 1.31% of National Fuel Gas worth $72,173,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in NFG. Kentucky Trust Co bought a new position in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. UMB Bank n.a. raised its holdings 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 worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 218 shares during the last quarter. S.A. Mason LLC bought a new position in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd increased 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 valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 453 shares in the last quarter. Finally, V Square Quantitative Management LLC lifted its position in shares of National Fuel Gas by 49.5% during the 4th quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 722 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $44,000 after acquiring an additional 239 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 73.96% of the company's stock.

National Fuel Gas Stock Down 0.1 %

Shares of NFG stock traded down $0.08 on Friday, reaching $77.88. 374,741 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 550,187. The company has a market cap of $7.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -556.25 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a 50-day moving average of $76.19 and a 200-day moving average of $68.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.39 and a quick ratio of 0.33. National Fuel Gas has a one year low of $52.66 and a one year high of $80.14.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.44 by $0.22. National Fuel Gas had a negative net margin of 0.53% and a positive return on equity of 15.96%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.46 EPS. Analysts anticipate that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

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 was Monday, March 31st. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.65%. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio is presently -1,471.43%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have commented on NFG shares. StockNews.com upgraded shares of National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective 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. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, National Fuel Gas has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $74.67.

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.