Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET) Trading Down 0.1%

Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET - Get Free Report) dropped 0.1% on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $16.03 and last traded at $16.05. Approximately 3,537,598 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 71% from the average daily volume of 12,104,850 shares. The stock had previously closed at $16.06.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on ET shares. Citigroup lifted their price objective on Energy Transfer from $17.00 to $18.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 21st. Mizuho reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $19.00 price target (up previously from $18.00) on shares of Energy Transfer in a research note on Thursday, April 18th. Finally, UBS Group dropped their price objective on shares of Energy Transfer from $23.00 to $22.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $18.00.

Energy Transfer Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $54.30 billion, a PE ratio of 14.78 and a beta of 1.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.37, a current ratio of 1.10 and a quick ratio of 0.88. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $15.52 and its 200 day simple moving average is $14.43.

Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 14th. The pipeline company reported $0.37 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.29 by $0.08. Energy Transfer had a net margin of 4.85% and a return on equity of 12.17%. The firm had revenue of $20.53 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.46 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.34 EPS. The company's revenue was up .2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Energy Transfer LP will post 1.56 earnings per share for the current year.

Energy Transfer Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 20th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 13th will be issued a $0.317 dividend. This is an increase from Energy Transfer's previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. This represents a $1.27 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.87%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 10th. Energy Transfer's payout ratio is presently 115.60%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Energy Transfer

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of ET. Sfmg LLC increased its position in Energy Transfer by 2.2% in the 1st quarter. Sfmg LLC now owns 31,406 shares of the pipeline company's stock valued at $494,000 after acquiring an additional 674 shares during the period. Quantum Private Wealth LLC increased its holdings in shares of Energy Transfer by 21.2% in the first quarter. Quantum Private Wealth LLC now owns 116,568 shares of the pipeline company's stock valued at $1,834,000 after purchasing an additional 20,385 shares during the period. Chilton Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Energy Transfer by 5.3% during the first quarter. Chilton Capital Management LLC now owns 22,106 shares of the pipeline company's stock worth $348,000 after purchasing an additional 1,107 shares during the last quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Energy Transfer by 1.8% during the first quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 59,694 shares of the pipeline company's stock worth $939,000 after purchasing an additional 1,043 shares during the period. Finally, Tectonic Advisors LLC grew its position in Energy Transfer by 8.2% in the 1st quarter. Tectonic Advisors LLC now owns 382,150 shares of the pipeline company's stock valued at $6,011,000 after buying an additional 29,093 shares during the last quarter. 38.22% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Energy Transfer Company Profile

Energy Transfer LP provides energy-related services. The company owns and operates natural gas transportation pipeline, and natural gas storage facilities in Texas and Oklahoma; and approximately 20,090 miles of interstate natural gas pipeline. It also sells natural gas to electric utilities, independent power plants, local distribution and other marketing companies, and industrial end-users.