Venture Global (NYSE:VG) Trading Down 4.2% - Time to Sell?

Key Points

• Venture Global shares fell 4.2% to about $13.43 in Monday trading, on volume 73% below the average. The stock remains below the analyst consensus price target of $16.13, while analysts collectively maintain a “Moderate Buy” rating.
• The company reported quarterly EPS of $0.51, slightly beating estimates, on $4.58 billion in revenue. Its latest dividend doubled to $0.04 per share quarterly, representing a 1.2% yield.
• Insiders sold $33.6 million of stock over the past quarter, including sales by the COO and a director. Venture Global carries substantial leverage, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.44.

Venture Global, Inc. (NYSE:VG - Get Free Report)'s share price was down 4.2% during trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $13.42 and last traded at $13.4260. 4,987,565 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 73% from the average session volume of 18,306,354 shares. The stock had previously closed at $14.02.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein started coverage on shares of Venture Global in a research note on Tuesday, June 16th. They set a "market perform" rating and a $14.00 target price on the stock. Weiss Ratings cut shares of Venture Global from a "hold (c)" rating to a "hold (c-)" rating in a report on Monday, July 20th. Scotiabank boosted their price target on shares of Venture Global from $15.00 to $16.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a report on Thursday, September 10th. US Capital Advisors set a $13.00 price objective on shares of Venture Global in a research report on Friday, May 29th. Finally, Mizuho raised their price objective on shares of Venture Global from $13.00 to $15.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Venture Global presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $16.13.

Venture Global Stock Down 3.4%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.44, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.19. The firm has a market cap of $33.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.56 and a beta of 0.26. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $14.04 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $13.29.

Venture Global (NYSE:VG - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 10th. The company reported $0.51 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.50 by $0.01. Venture Global had a return on equity of 34.08% and a net margin of 21.24%.The firm had revenue of $4.58 billion during the quarter. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Venture Global, Inc. will post 1.69 earnings per share for the current year.

Venture Global Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.04 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 15th. This represents a $0.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.2%. This is an increase from Venture Global's previous quarterly dividend of $0.02. Venture Global's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 12.60%.

Insider Transactions at Venture Global

In other Venture Global news, COO Brian Cothran sold 152,660 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Monday, September 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.15, for a total value of $2,465,459.00. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Jimmy Staton sold 66,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $13.35, for a total value of $881,100.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 1,083,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,458,050. The trade was a 5.74% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 2,382,442 shares of company stock valued at $33,642,249 over the last quarter. 84.24% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Venture Global

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. LRI Investments LLC purchased a new position in shares of Venture Global during the second quarter worth approximately $28,000. Harbour Investments Inc. acquired a new stake in Venture Global during the 4th quarter worth $29,000. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. grew its position in Venture Global by 218.1% during the 4th quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 4,421 shares of the company's stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 3,031 shares during the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc acquired a new position in Venture Global in the second quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, AdvisorNet Financial Inc increased its stake in Venture Global by 67.5% in the first quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 4,480 shares of the company's stock valued at $71,000 after purchasing an additional 1,805 shares during the period.

Venture Global Company Profile

Venture Global, Inc is a liquefied natural gas (LNG) company that develops, constructs and operates LNG export facilities in the United States. The company sources natural gas from domestic markets, liquefies it at its coastal facilities and supplies LNG to customers in international markets.

Venture Global's operating and development portfolio is concentrated along the U.S. Gulf Coast. Its Calcasieu Pass LNG facility in Louisiana has entered commercial operations, while its Plaquemines LNG project in Louisiana is being developed and brought into service.

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