National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) Hits New 12-Month High – Should You Buy?

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)’s stock price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $73.90 and last traded at $73.83, with a volume of 224118 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $73.32.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have weighed in on NFG. Argus upgraded National Fuel Gas to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased 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 note on Tuesday, November 12th. StockNews.com raised shares of National Fuel Gas from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, Bank of America began coverage on shares of National Fuel Gas in a research report on Monday, October 28th. They issued an “underperform” rating and a $62.00 price objective for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $69.00.

National Fuel Gas Trading Up 0.4 %

The firm has a market cap of $6.66 billion, a P/E ratio of -525.68 and a beta of 0.64. The business’s 50 day moving average is $66.73 and its 200-day moving average is $62.85. 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 issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 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 period last year, the business posted $1.46 earnings per share. As a group, analysts forecast that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 31st were issued a $0.515 dividend. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.80%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 31st. National Fuel Gas’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -1,471.43%.

Insider Activity at National Fuel Gas

In other National Fuel Gas news, insider Donna L. Decarolis sold 10,000 shares of the company’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 transaction, the insider now owns 81,519 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,101,459.02. This represents a 10.93 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, insider Justin I. Loweth sold 19,532 shares of National Fuel Gas stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 sale, the insider now directly owns 41,841 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,605,439.07. This trade represents a 31.83 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.41% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On National Fuel Gas

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Kentucky Trust Co bought a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas in the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new position in National Fuel Gas during the third quarter valued at approximately $28,000. UMB Bank n.a. increased its stake in National Fuel Gas by 82.9% in the 4th quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 481 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 218 shares during the period. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the 3rd quarter valued at $35,000. 73.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.