National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) Stock Holdings Decreased by Guggenheim Capital LLC

Guggenheim Capital LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 18.4% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 29,933 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after selling 6,765 shares during the quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC's holdings in National Fuel Gas were worth $1,816,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Schroder Investment Management Group lifted its position in shares of National Fuel Gas by 4.0% during the 4th quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 9,122 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $551,000 after purchasing an additional 350 shares during the last quarter. Clear Creek Financial Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the fourth quarter worth about $238,000. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter valued at about $67,393,000. ING Groep NV acquired a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter valued at about $1,086,000. Finally, Proficio Capital Partners LLC purchased a new position in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter worth approximately $862,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.96% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on NFG shares. StockNews.com upgraded National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $74.67.

National Fuel Gas Price Performance

NYSE NFG traded up $0.31 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $78.27. The stock had a trading volume of 92,078 shares, compared to its average volume of 549,293. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $76.10 and a 200 day simple moving average of $67.97. The company has a market cap of $7.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -558.82 and a beta of 0.61. National Fuel Gas has a 52-week low of $52.66 and a 52-week high of $80.14. The company has a quick ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 prior year, the company posted $1.46 earnings per share. Equities analysts forecast that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 EPS for the current fiscal 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 $0.515 dividend. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.63%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 31st. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio is currently -1,471.43%.

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.