Essential Planning LLC. Makes New Investment in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Essential Planning LLC. acquired a new position in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 4,440 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock, valued at approximately $272,000.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Kentucky Trust Co purchased a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. UMB Bank n.a. grew 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 worth $29,000 after buying an additional 218 shares in the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in National Fuel Gas in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $35,000. S.A. Mason LLC bought a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. Finally, V Square Quantitative Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 49.5% in the 4th quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 722 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $44,000 after acquiring an additional 239 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 73.96% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

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

National Fuel Gas Stock Performance

Shares of NFG stock opened at $74.65 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a current ratio of 0.39. The company has a market capitalization of $6.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -533.19 and a beta of 0.57. The company’s 50-day moving average is $70.06 and its 200 day moving average is $64.12. National Fuel Gas has a one year low of $50.44 and a one year high of $76.26.

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 the consensus estimate 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 company posted $1.46 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 31st will be paid a $0.515 dividend. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.76%. National Fuel Gas’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -1,471.43%.

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.