ING Groep NV Takes Position in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

ING Groep NV bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 17,900 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock, valued at approximately $1,086,000.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in NFG. C2P Capital Advisory Group LLC d.b.a. Prosperity Capital Advisors acquired a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter valued at about $367,000. Cardinal Capital Management increased its position in National Fuel Gas by 0.9% during the fourth quarter. Cardinal Capital Management now owns 93,429 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $5,717,000 after purchasing an additional 799 shares during the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP raised its stake in National Fuel Gas by 46.8% during the fourth quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,814 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $110,000 after purchasing an additional 578 shares during the period. V Square Quantitative Management LLC raised its stake in National Fuel Gas by 49.5% during the fourth quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 722 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $44,000 after purchasing an additional 239 shares during the period. Finally, Kentucky Trust Co acquired a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. 73.96% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

National Fuel Gas Stock Down 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE NFG opened at $72.58 on Monday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $66.48 and a 200 day moving average price of $62.76. The company has a current ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. National Fuel Gas has a 12-month low of $48.06 and a 12-month high of $73.60. The company has a market cap of $6.57 billion, a P/E ratio of -518.41 and a beta of 0.64.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates 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 period last year, the company earned $1.46 earnings per share. Research analysts anticipate that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st were paid a dividend of $0.515 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 31st. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.84%. National Fuel Gas’s dividend payout ratio is currently -1,471.32%.

Insider Transactions at National Fuel Gas

In other news, insider Justin I. Loweth sold 19,532 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.27, for a total transaction of $1,216,257.64. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly 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 legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Donna L. Decarolis sold 10,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.58, for a total value of $625,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 81,519 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,101,459.02. This trade represents a 10.93 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 1.41% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently commented on NFG shares. Argus upgraded National Fuel Gas to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. StockNews.com upgraded National Fuel Gas from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Bank of America initiated coverage on National Fuel Gas in a research note on Monday, October 28th. They issued an “underperform” rating and a $62.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on shares of 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. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, National Fuel Gas currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $69.00.

National Fuel Gas 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.