Two Sigma Securities LLC Lowers Stock Position in Golar LNG Limited (NASDAQ:GLNG)

Two Sigma Securities LLC decreased its position in shares of Golar LNG Limited (NASDAQ:GLNG - Free Report) by 77.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 11,671 shares of the shipping company's stock after selling 40,858 shares during the quarter. Two Sigma Securities LLC's holdings in Golar LNG were worth $494,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. grew its stake in Golar LNG by 3.3% in the fourth quarter. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 10,354 shares of the shipping company's stock valued at $438,000 after acquiring an additional 328 shares during the period. Mariner LLC grew its position in Golar LNG by 7.4% in the 4th quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 5,995 shares of the shipping company's stock valued at $254,000 after purchasing an additional 414 shares during the period. Kingswood Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in Golar LNG by 5.0% during the 4th quarter. Kingswood Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 10,500 shares of the shipping company's stock valued at $444,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC raised its holdings in Golar LNG by 9.8% during the fourth quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 5,996 shares of the shipping company's stock worth $254,000 after buying an additional 534 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Merit Financial Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Golar LNG by 13.3% in the fourth quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 7,363 shares of the shipping company's stock valued at $312,000 after buying an additional 866 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.21% of the company's stock.

Golar LNG Stock Performance

NASDAQ GLNG traded up $0.04 on Thursday, hitting $42.55. The stock had a trading volume of 1,407,244 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,631,228. Golar LNG Limited has a 52-week low of $24.59 and a 52-week high of $44.36. The company has a market capitalization of $4.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 303.95 and a beta of 0.47. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $36.70 and a 200-day moving average of $38.84.

Golar LNG Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 18th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 11th were paid a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 11th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.35%. Golar LNG's dividend payout ratio is presently 208.33%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently weighed in on GLNG. StockNews.com raised shares of Golar LNG to a "sell" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 20th. Fearnley Fonds raised Golar LNG from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 19th. DNB Markets raised Golar LNG from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $48.00 price target for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Finally, Dnb Nor Markets raised shares of Golar LNG from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Golar LNG has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $49.70.

About Golar LNG

Golar LNG Limited designs, converts, owns, and operates marine infrastructure for the liquefaction of natural gas. The company operates through three segments: FLNG, Corporate and Other, and Shipping. It engages in the regasification, storage, and offloading of liquefied natural gas (LNG); operation of floating liquefaction natural gas (FLNG) vessels or projects; transportation of LNG carriers; and vessel management activities.