National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) Sets New 1-Year High - Still a Buy?

Key Points

• National Fuel Gas shares reached a new 52-week high of $90.98, last trading at $90.78, reflecting a recent growth in its stock performance.
• Despite a mix of analyst ratings, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" with a consensus price target of $96.67.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.535, which yields 2.3%, and is scheduled to be paid on October 15th, emphasizing its ongoing commitment to shareholder returns.

National Fuel Gas Company (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $90.98 and last traded at $90.78, with a volume of 43706 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $89.48.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

NFG has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Zacks Research cut National Fuel Gas from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, August 18th. Bank of America upgraded National Fuel Gas from an "underperform" rating to a "buy" rating and upped their price objective for the company from $85.00 to $107.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 15th. Scotiabank reiterated an "outperform" rating on shares of National Fuel Gas in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut National Fuel Gas from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Sunday, August 10th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $96.67.

National Fuel Gas Stock Up 2.4%

The business has a 50-day moving average price of $87.24 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $82.78. The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. The firm has a market cap of $8.28 billion, a PE ratio of 34.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.52 and a beta of 0.61.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 30th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.64 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.50 by $0.14. National Fuel Gas had a return on equity of 20.81% and a net margin of 11.15%.The business had revenue of $531.83 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $596.12 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.99 earnings per share. The company's revenue was up 27.4% on a year-over-year basis. National Fuel Gas has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.000-8.500 EPS. FY 2025 guidance at 6.800-6.950 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that National Fuel Gas Company will post 6.64 EPS for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 30th will be issued a $0.535 dividend. This represents a $2.14 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 30th. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio is 80.45%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On National Fuel Gas

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of NFG. Deutsche Bank AG boosted its stake in National Fuel Gas by 5.8% in the fourth quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 10,378 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $630,000 after acquiring an additional 570 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC boosted its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 2.7% during the fourth quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 212,426 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $12,890,000 after buying an additional 5,519 shares during the period. Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 1.1% during the fourth quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 359,845 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $21,835,000 after buying an additional 3,928 shares during the period. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the fourth quarter worth about $36,000. Finally, Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH acquired a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the fourth quarter worth about $4,934,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.96% of the company's stock.

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.

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