Envestnet Asset Management Inc. Purchases 4,415 Shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 3.5% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 130,161 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after buying an additional 4,415 shares during the quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. owned 0.14% of National Fuel Gas worth $7,898,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Kentucky Trust Co purchased a new position in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. UMB Bank n.a. boosted 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 buying an additional 218 shares during the period. S.A. Mason LLC acquired a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter valued at $38,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC boosted its stake 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 buying an additional 239 shares during the period. Finally, IAG Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter valued at $46,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.96% of the company's stock.

National Fuel Gas Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:NFG traded up $0.18 during trading on Thursday, hitting $77.93. 74,255 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 550,908. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a current ratio of 0.39. The company has a market capitalization of $7.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -556.99 and a beta of 0.61. National Fuel Gas has a 1-year low of $52.66 and a 1-year high of $80.14. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $75.98 and its 200-day simple moving average is $67.85.

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 EPS for the quarter, topping 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 quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.46 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed 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 was Monday, March 31st. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.64%. National Fuel Gas's payout ratio is -1,471.43%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have issued reports on NFG. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price 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 raised shares of National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $74.67.

National Fuel Gas Company 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.