Gamco Investors INC. ET AL Grows Holdings in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Gamco Investors INC. ET AL raised its position in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 5.1% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,447,665 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after purchasing an additional 70,332 shares during the period. National Fuel Gas comprises about 0.9% of Gamco Investors INC. ET AL's investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th largest position. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL owned about 1.60% of National Fuel Gas worth $87,844,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Kentucky Trust Co purchased a new position in National Fuel Gas during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. UMB Bank n.a. increased its stake in shares of 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 acquiring an additional 218 shares during the last quarter. S.A. Mason LLC purchased a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter worth about $38,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd boosted its position in shares of National Fuel Gas by 223.2% in the fourth 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 during the last quarter. Finally, V Square Quantitative Management LLC boosted its position in shares of National Fuel Gas by 49.5% in the fourth quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 722 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $44,000 after acquiring an additional 239 shares during the last quarter. 73.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. StockNews.com downgraded shares of National Fuel Gas from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Monday, April 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, March 13th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $74.67.

National Fuel Gas Trading Up 0.4 %

Shares of National Fuel Gas stock traded up $0.28 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $79.01. The company's stock had a trading volume of 603,566 shares, compared to its average volume of 550,193. The company has a quick ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. The company has a market capitalization of $7.15 billion, a PE ratio of -564.32 and a beta of 0.61. The business has a fifty day moving average of $75.64 and a 200 day moving average of $67.55. National Fuel Gas has a 1-year low of $52.66 and a 1-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 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.44 by $0.22. National Fuel Gas had a positive return on equity of 15.96% and a negative net margin of 0.53%. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.46 EPS. As a group, equities 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. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 31st were paid a dividend of $0.515 per share. 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 is currently -1,471.43%.

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.