Nordea Investment Management AB Boosts Stock Holdings in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Nordea Investment Management AB grew its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 26.7% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 103,314 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after buying an additional 21,748 shares during the quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB owned 0.11% of National Fuel Gas worth $5,142,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Raymond James & Associates raised its position in National Fuel Gas by 0.4% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 47,532 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $3,265,000 after purchasing an additional 170 shares during the period. CENTRAL TRUST Co boosted its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 21.4% during the third quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 1,015 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $63,000 after purchasing an additional 179 shares in the last quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina boosted its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 0.5% during the third quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina now owns 40,239 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $2,089,000 after purchasing an additional 205 shares in the last quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans boosted its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 0.9% during the third quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 24,211 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $1,490,000 after purchasing an additional 217 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Pathstone Family Office LLC boosted its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 6.1% during the fourth quarter. Pathstone Family Office LLC now owns 4,505 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $285,000 after purchasing an additional 261 shares in the last quarter. 73.70% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

National Fuel Gas Stock Performance

Shares of NFG traded down $0.64 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $51.90. The company had a trading volume of 477,210 shares, compared to its average volume of 526,977. National Fuel Gas has a 52-week low of $45.32 and a 52-week high of $58.25. The company has a quick ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 0.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.88, a PEG ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 0.62. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $48.96 and a two-hundred day moving average of $50.73.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.46 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.32 by $0.14. National Fuel Gas had a return on equity of 14.81% and a net margin of 21.58%. The business had revenue of $525.36 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $664.57 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.84 earnings per share. The business's quarterly revenue was down 20.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect that National Fuel Gas will post 5.19 earnings per share for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 28th will be issued a $0.495 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. This represents a $1.98 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.82%. National Fuel Gas's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 41.51%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, StockNews.com raised National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday.

About National Fuel Gas

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.