National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) PT Raised to $72.00 at Scotiabank

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) had its target price lifted by research analysts at Scotiabank from $67.00 to $72.00 in a report released on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a "sector outperform" rating on the oil and gas producer's stock. Scotiabank's price objective suggests a potential upside of 33.95% from the stock's previous close.

Separately, StockNews.com raised shares of National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, March 20th.

National Fuel Gas Stock Performance

Shares of NFG traded up $0.34 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $53.75. 390,840 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 584,580. National Fuel Gas has a 52 week low of $45.32 and a 52 week high of $57.80. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $50.43 and its 200-day simple moving average is $50.78. The firm has a market cap of $4.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.27 and a beta of 0.63. The company has a quick ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 0.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.46 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.32 by $0.14. National Fuel Gas had a net margin of 21.58% and a return on equity of 14.81%. The company had revenue of $525.36 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $664.57 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.84 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was down 20.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts expect that National Fuel Gas will post 4.87 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its position in National Fuel Gas by 119.8% in the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 567 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 309 shares in the last quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC boosted its position in National Fuel Gas by 145.5% in the first quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 572 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 339 shares in the last quarter. Quent Capital LLC boosted its position in National Fuel Gas by 166.4% in the fourth quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 690 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 431 shares in the last quarter. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC boosted its position in National Fuel Gas by 68.9% in the fourth quarter. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC now owns 760 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $48,000 after buying an additional 310 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Artemis Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in National Fuel Gas in the third quarter valued at approximately $40,000. 73.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.