National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) Shares Sold by Comerica Bank

Comerica Bank trimmed its position in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 8.8% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 32,646 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after selling 3,165 shares during the period. Comerica Bank's holdings in National Fuel Gas were worth $1,981,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC raised its stake in National Fuel Gas by 14.3% during the fourth quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 1,221 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $76,000 after purchasing an additional 153 shares during the period. UMB Bank n.a. grew its position in National Fuel Gas by 82.9% during the fourth quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 481 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 218 shares during the period. V Square Quantitative Management LLC increased its stake in National Fuel Gas by 49.5% during the fourth quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 722 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $44,000 after acquiring an additional 239 shares during the last quarter. Mariner LLC raised its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 20,291 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $1,231,000 after purchasing an additional 258 shares during the period. Finally, Evergreen Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 2.0% in the 4th quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC now owns 13,765 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $842,000 after purchasing an additional 274 shares in the last quarter. 73.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently commented on NFG shares. StockNews.com upgraded shares of National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. 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 report on Thursday, March 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $74.67.

National Fuel Gas Stock Up 0.6 %

Shares of NYSE:NFG opened at $81.90 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $7.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -584.96 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a 50 day moving average of $77.51 and a two-hundred day moving average of $69.42. National Fuel Gas has a 52-week low of $53.03 and a 52-week high of $83.35. 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 released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The oil and gas producer reported $2.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.18 by $0.21. The firm had revenue of $729.95 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $770.81 million. National Fuel Gas had a negative net margin of 0.53% and a positive return on equity of 15.96%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 15.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.79 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share 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 issued a dividend of $0.515 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 31st. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.52%. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio is presently 479.07%.

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.

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