Sanctuary Advisors LLC Grows Stock Holdings in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Sanctuary Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) by 9.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 20,246 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,817 shares during the period. Sanctuary Advisors LLC’s holdings in National Fuel Gas were worth $1,300,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Fortem Financial Group LLC bought a new position in National Fuel Gas during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $914,000. Chiron Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas during the third quarter valued at approximately $200,000. Vestcor Inc purchased a new stake in National Fuel Gas in the third quarter worth $716,000. Barclays PLC boosted its holdings in National Fuel Gas by 243.7% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 102,672 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $6,223,000 after acquiring an additional 72,802 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio increased its position in National Fuel Gas by 5.8% during the 3rd quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 54,734 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $3,317,000 after purchasing an additional 2,989 shares during the period. 73.96% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity at National Fuel Gas

In other news, insider Justin I. Loweth sold 19,532 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, December 2nd. The stock was 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 of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,605,439.07. This represents a 31.83 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Donna L. Decarolis sold 10,000 shares of National Fuel Gas 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 directly owns 81,519 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,101,459.02. This represents a 10.93 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 31,232 shares of company stock valued at $1,945,367 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 1.55% of the company’s stock.

National Fuel Gas Price Performance

Shares of NFG opened at $59.93 on Friday. National Fuel Gas has a fifty-two week low of $45.32 and a fifty-two week high of $65.06. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $61.60 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $59.20. The stock has a market cap of $5.44 billion, a PE ratio of 73.99 and a beta of 0.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.25 and a current ratio of 0.32.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 31st will be paid a $0.515 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 31st. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.44%. National Fuel Gas’s payout ratio is currently 254.32%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of National Fuel Gas from $65.00 to $64.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th. Argus upgraded National Fuel Gas to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. 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 target price for the company. Finally, StockNews.com raised National Fuel Gas from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, December 16th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $69.00.

National Fuel Gas Company 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.