National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) Shares Sold by ProShare Advisors LLC

ProShare Advisors LLC cut its holdings in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 4.7% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 536,076 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after selling 26,155 shares during the quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC owned about 0.59% of National Fuel Gas worth $32,529,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of NFG. Kentucky Trust Co acquired a new position in National Fuel Gas in the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. UMB Bank n.a. increased its stake in National Fuel Gas by 82.9% in the fourth quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 481 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 218 shares during the period. Quarry LP acquired a new position in National Fuel Gas in the fourth quarter valued at $32,000. S.A. Mason LLC acquired a new position in National Fuel Gas in the fourth quarter valued at $38,000. Finally, Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd increased its stake in National Fuel Gas by 223.2% in the fourth quarter. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd now owns 656 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 453 shares during the period. 73.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

National Fuel Gas Trading Up 0.2%

NYSE NFG opened at $81.17 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.33 billion, a P/E ratio of -579.74 and a beta of 0.61. National Fuel Gas has a 52-week low of $53.03 and a 52-week high of $83.35. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $78.13 and a 200 day moving average price of $70.05. 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 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 during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations 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 revenue for the quarter was up 15.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.79 earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 EPS for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 31st were given a dividend of $0.515 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 31st. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.54%. National Fuel Gas's payout ratio is 479.07%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on NFG. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock 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 report on Tuesday, April 22nd. 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 assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, National Fuel Gas currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $74.67.

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.

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