Treasurer of the State of North Carolina Has $2.43 Million Holdings in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Treasurer of the State of North Carolina reduced its stake in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 60.8% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 40,055 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after selling 62,213 shares during the period. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina's holdings in National Fuel Gas were worth $2,431,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of NFG. Barclays PLC lifted its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 243.7% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 102,672 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $6,223,000 after buying an additional 72,802 shares in the last quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC raised its stake in National Fuel Gas by 9.9% in the 3rd quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 20,246 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $1,300,000 after purchasing an additional 1,817 shares in the last quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas in the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,052,000. Tidal Investments LLC boosted its holdings in National Fuel Gas by 176.2% in the 3rd quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 21,046 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $1,276,000 after purchasing an additional 13,425 shares during the period. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. grew its position in shares of National Fuel Gas by 33.3% during the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 220,869 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $13,386,000 after purchasing an additional 55,152 shares in the last quarter. 73.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

NFG has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted 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 report on Thursday, March 13th. StockNews.com upgraded National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday. One equities 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 company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $74.67.

National Fuel Gas Price Performance

Shares of National Fuel Gas stock traded down $0.39 on Wednesday, reaching $77.81. 92,021 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 550,425. The firm's 50 day moving average is $75.87 and its 200-day moving average is $67.78. The firm has a market cap of $7.05 billion, a PE ratio of -555.75 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a current ratio of 0.39. National Fuel Gas has a one year low of $52.66 and a one year high of $81.62.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates 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 period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.46 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 31st were issued a $0.515 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 31st. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.65%. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -1,471.43%.

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.