National Fuel Gas Company (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $84.66 and last traded at $84.51, with a volume of 448770 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $83.75.
Analyst Ratings Changes
Several analysts have recently commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target 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. Wall Street Zen raised shares of National Fuel Gas from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Saturday, June 14th. Finally, Bank of America increased their price target on shares of National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $85.00 and gave the company an "underperform" rating in a research note on Friday, May 23rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, National Fuel Gas currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $82.33.
Check Out Our Latest Research Report on National Fuel Gas
National Fuel Gas Trading Up 0.3%
The stock has a market capitalization of $7.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 199.22, a PEG ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 0.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 0.47 and a quick ratio of 0.43. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $81.17 and its 200-day simple moving average is $73.76.
National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 30th. The oil and gas producer reported $2.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.18 by $0.21. National Fuel Gas had a net margin of 1.91% and a return on equity of 18.55%. The firm had revenue of $729.95 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $770.81 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.79 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 15.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that National Fuel Gas Company will post 6.64 EPS for the current year.
National Fuel Gas Increases Dividend
The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 30th will be given a dividend of $0.535 per share. This represents a $2.14 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.50%. This is a boost from National Fuel Gas's previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 30th. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 479.07%.
Hedge Funds Weigh In On National Fuel Gas
Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Schroder Investment Management Group boosted its position in shares of National Fuel Gas by 4.0% during the fourth 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 in the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas in the 1st quarter valued at $900,000. Norges Bank bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter valued at $67,393,000. ING Groep NV bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter valued at $1,086,000. Finally, Proficio Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter valued at $862,000. 73.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.
National Fuel Gas Company Profile
(
Get Free Report)
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.
Further Reading
Before you consider National Fuel Gas, you'll want to hear this.
MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and National Fuel Gas wasn't on the list.
While National Fuel Gas currently has a Moderate Buy rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.
View The Five Stocks Here
Nuclear energy stocks are roaring. It's the hottest energy sector of the year. Cameco Corp, Paladin Energy, and BWX Technologies were all up more than 40% in 2024. The biggest market moves could still be ahead of us, and there are seven nuclear energy stocks that could rise much higher in the next several months. To unlock these tickers, enter your email address below.
Get This Free Report
Like this article? Share it with a colleague.
Link copied to clipboard.