Confluence Wealth Services Inc. Buys New Stake in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Confluence Wealth Services Inc. purchased a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 4,647 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock, valued at approximately $282,000.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the third quarter worth approximately $28,000. UMB Bank n.a. raised its holdings in National Fuel Gas by 82.9% during the fourth quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 481 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 218 shares in the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas in the 3rd quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, S.A. Mason LLC purchased a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter valued at $38,000. 73.96% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Justin I. Loweth sold 19,532 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.27, for a total value of $1,216,257.64. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 41,841 shares in the company, valued at $2,605,439.07. This trade represents a 31.83 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, insider Donna L. Decarolis sold 10,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.58, for a total transaction of $625,800.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 81,519 shares in the company, valued at $5,101,459.02. The trade was a 10.93 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.41% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

NFG has been the subject of a number of research reports. StockNews.com raised shares of National Fuel Gas from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on National Fuel Gas from $65.00 to $64.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th. Argus raised National Fuel Gas to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. Finally, Bank of America began coverage on shares of National Fuel Gas in a report on Monday, October 28th. They issued an “underperform” rating and a $62.00 target price on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $69.00.

National Fuel Gas Trading Up 0.2 %

Shares of National Fuel Gas stock opened at $72.57 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $6.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -518.31 and a beta of 0.64. National Fuel Gas has a 52-week low of $45.32 and a 52-week high of $73.13. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $64.00 and its 200-day simple moving average is $61.53. 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 (NYSE:NFG) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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 in the previous year, the business posted $1.46 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st were issued a $0.515 dividend. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.84%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 31st. National Fuel Gas’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -1,471.32%.

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.