Golar LNG Limited (NASDAQ:GLNG) Given Average Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Brokerages

Key Points

• Board launches strategic review to "maximize stakeholder value" and accelerate FLNG growth, appointing Goldman Sachs as financial advisor — the move is the primary catalyst driving recent investor interest and the stock's rally.
• Analysts have a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" from eight brokerages (3 hold, 3 buy, 2 strong buy) with an average 12‑month target price of $50.50.
• Institutional ownership is very high (92.21%) and the company shows mixed fundamentals: shares trade near the one‑year high (~$55), the latest quarter missed EPS ($0.30 vs. $0.38) while revenue beat, and Golar pays a $0.25 quarterly dividend (1.8% yield) with a 156% payout ratio.

Shares of Golar LNG Limited (NASDAQ:GLNG - Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the eight brokerages that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 12-month target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $50.50.

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on GLNG shares. BTIG Research upped their target price on Golar LNG from $50.00 to $53.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 25th. Weiss Ratings reissued a "hold (c+)" rating on shares of Golar LNG in a research report on Monday, December 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $56.00 price objective on shares of Golar LNG in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Golar LNG from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of Golar LNG from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, January 5th.

Key Golar LNG News

Here are the key news stories impacting Golar LNG this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Board launches strategic review to “maximize stakeholder value” and accelerate FLNG growth; Goldman Sachs appointed as financial advisor — this is the primary catalyst for the stock’s move higher because it signals management may pursue transactions or restructurings to speed project development or unlock value. Golar LNG Limited announces strategic review to maximize stakeholder value and appoints Goldman Sachs as financial advisor
• Positive Sentiment: Media and wire reports emphasize the strategic review and GS appointment, amplifying investor attention and liquidity into the name. Golar LNG launches strategic review to advance FLNG growth plans
• Positive Sentiment: Goldman Sachs continues to feature Golar positively — the bank’s buy-side commentary and inclusion of GLNG among LNG names with upside supports investor confidence that the strategic review could yield constructive outcomes. Goldman Sachs Remains a Buy on Golar LNG (GLNG)
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks notes the stock has climbed about 25% since the last earnings report and asks whether that momentum can continue — useful context for momentum traders but not a standalone catalyst. Golar LNG (GLNG) Up 25.1% Since Last Earnings Report: Can It Continue?
• Neutral Sentiment: Golar filed its 2025 Form 20‑F with the U.S. SEC — a routine regulatory disclosure that increases transparency (helps institutional due diligence) but is not a direct value catalyst. Golar LNG Limited - Announcement of filing of Form 20-F Annual Report
• Neutral Sentiment: Company set its 2026 Annual General Meeting for May 19, 2026 (record date April 6) — standard governance timing; watch proxy materials for any strategic-review details or board commentary. 2026 Annual General Meeting

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Golar LNG

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of GLNG. Tejara Capital Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of Golar LNG by 44.0% in the 3rd quarter. Tejara Capital Ltd now owns 196,526 shares of the shipping company's stock valued at $7,942,000 after buying an additional 60,093 shares during the period. Permanent Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in Golar LNG during the third quarter worth about $2,114,000. Huber Capital Management LLC raised its position in Golar LNG by 12.4% during the third quarter. Huber Capital Management LLC now owns 923,718 shares of the shipping company's stock valued at $37,327,000 after acquiring an additional 102,200 shares in the last quarter. King Luther Capital Management Corp purchased a new position in Golar LNG during the third quarter valued at approximately $1,179,000. Finally, ARS Investment Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Golar LNG by 14.7% in the third quarter. ARS Investment Partners LLC now owns 296,059 shares of the shipping company's stock valued at $11,964,000 after acquiring an additional 38,040 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.21% of the company's stock.

Golar LNG Stock Performance

Shares of GLNG opened at $55.03 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 2.55 and a current ratio of 2.55. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $44.78 and a two-hundred day moving average of $40.77. The stock has a market cap of $5.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 85.99 and a beta of 0.18. Golar LNG has a one year low of $29.56 and a one year high of $55.80.

Golar LNG (NASDAQ:GLNG - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 25th. The shipping company reported $0.30 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.38 by ($0.08). Golar LNG had a net margin of 16.69% and a return on equity of 6.24%. The firm had revenue of $132.81 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $123.29 million. As a group, research analysts predict that Golar LNG will post 1.39 EPS for the current year.

Golar LNG Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 18th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 9th were issued a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 9th. Golar LNG's dividend payout ratio is presently 156.25%.

Golar LNG Company Profile

Golar LNG Ltd. is a leading owner and operator of liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers and floating infrastructure. The company specializes in the transportation of LNG on long-term and spot charters for major energy firms around the world. In addition to shipping, Golar LNG has broadened its services to include project development and the conversion of existing carriers into Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) and Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) vessels.

Since pioneering the first purpose-built FLNG conversion project, Golar LNG has been at the forefront of offshore gas monetization.

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