Natixis Takes $1.04 Million Position in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Natixis bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 17,182 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock, valued at approximately $1,043,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in NFG. Kentucky Trust Co purchased a new position in National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its stake in shares of 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 worth $29,000 after buying an additional 218 shares in the last quarter. S.A. Mason LLC acquired a new position in National Fuel Gas during the fourth quarter worth about $38,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd grew its stake in National Fuel Gas by 223.2% during the 4th quarter. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd now owns 656 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 453 shares in the last quarter. Finally, V Square Quantitative Management LLC raised its holdings in National Fuel Gas by 49.5% in the 4th quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 722 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $44,000 after acquiring an additional 239 shares during the last quarter. 73.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

National Fuel Gas Trading Down 1.0 %

NFG stock traded down $0.81 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $77.54. 102,286 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 549,234. National Fuel Gas has a 1-year low of $52.66 and a 1-year high of $80.14. The company has a current ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.02 billion, a PE ratio of -553.53 and a beta of 0.61. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $76.29 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $68.34.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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 quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.46 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 31st were paid a $0.515 dividend. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.66%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 31st. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -1,471.43%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on NFG. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, March 13th. StockNews.com raised shares of National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price 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.