Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisors L.P. Boosts Holdings in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisors L.P. raised its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) by 0.5% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 159,753 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock after buying an additional 792 shares during the quarter. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisors L.P. owned about 0.18% of National Fuel Gas worth $9,694,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new position in National Fuel Gas during the third quarter valued at $28,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas during the third quarter valued at about $29,000. UMB Bank n.a. grew its position in shares of 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 valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 218 shares in the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas in the third quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, S.A. Mason LLC purchased a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas in the fourth quarter worth about $38,000. Institutional investors own 73.96% of the company’s stock.

National Fuel Gas Stock Performance

NYSE NFG opened at $71.86 on Friday. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $64.33 and its 200-day moving average price is $61.69. National Fuel Gas has a fifty-two week low of $45.32 and a fifty-two week high of $73.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.39 and a quick ratio of 0.33.

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

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st were given a dividend of $0.515 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 31st. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.87%. National Fuel Gas’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -1,471.32%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on National Fuel Gas from $65.00 to $64.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 12th. Argus raised shares of National Fuel Gas to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. Bank of America began coverage on shares of National Fuel Gas in a research note on Monday, October 28th. They set an “underperform” rating and a $62.00 price target on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of National Fuel Gas from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday. One investment 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 stock. According to MarketBeat, National Fuel Gas presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $69.00.

Insider Buying and Selling at National Fuel Gas

In other National Fuel Gas news, insider Donna L. Decarolis sold 10,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.58, for a total value of $625,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 81,519 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,101,459.02. The trade was a 10.93 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Justin I. Loweth sold 19,532 shares of the company’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 transaction, the insider now owns 41,841 shares in the company, valued at $2,605,439.07. This represents a 31.83 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 1.41% of the company’s stock.

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.