FreeGulliver LLC Sells 3,811 Shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

FreeGulliver LLC trimmed its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) by 50.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 3,800 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock after selling 3,811 shares during the quarter. FreeGulliver LLC’s holdings in National Fuel Gas were worth $231,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of NFG. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter worth approximately $9,067,000. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its position in National Fuel Gas by 3.4% during the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 2,584,155 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $156,807,000 after acquiring an additional 85,950 shares during the last quarter. Ibex Wealth Advisors bought a new position in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter worth approximately $4,943,000. Barclays PLC grew its position in National Fuel Gas by 243.7% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 102,672 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $6,223,000 after acquiring an additional 72,802 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. grew its position in National Fuel Gas by 33.3% during the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 220,869 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $13,386,000 after acquiring an additional 55,152 shares during the last quarter. 73.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

National Fuel Gas Trading Up 0.9 %

NYSE NFG opened at $77.74 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. National Fuel Gas has a twelve month low of $51.36 and a twelve month high of $77.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.04 billion, a PE ratio of -555.25 and a beta of 0.57. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $71.29 and its 200 day moving average is $64.64.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.44 by $0.22. National Fuel Gas had a positive return on equity of 15.96% and a negative net margin of 0.53%. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.46 EPS. Research analysts forecast that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Investors of record on Monday, March 31st will be given a dividend of $0.515 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 31st. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.65%. National Fuel Gas’s dividend payout ratio is presently -1,471.43%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on NFG shares. StockNews.com upgraded National Fuel Gas from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. Argus upgraded National Fuel Gas to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, March 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, National Fuel Gas presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $74.67.

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.