GABELLI & Co INVESTMENT ADVISERS INC. Invests $1.52 Million in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

GABELLI & Co INVESTMENT ADVISERS INC. acquired a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 25,000 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock, valued at approximately $1,517,000.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Kentucky Trust Co bought a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. UMB Bank n.a. raised its position in National Fuel Gas by 82.9% during the fourth 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. S.A. Mason LLC acquired a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter valued at $38,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd raised its holdings 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. 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 worth $44,000 after buying an additional 239 shares during the last quarter. 73.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

National Fuel Gas Trading Up 0.4 %

NYSE:NFG traded up $0.28 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $79.01. 603,566 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 550,193. National Fuel Gas has a fifty-two week low of $52.66 and a fifty-two week high of $80.14. The company has a current ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.15 billion, a P/E ratio of -564.32 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $75.64 and a 200-day simple moving average of $67.55.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 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 last year, the firm earned $1.46 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 31st were given 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 2.61%. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -1,471.43%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on NFG. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday, March 13th. StockNews.com cut National Fuel Gas from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Monday, April 7th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, National Fuel Gas presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price 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.