National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) Shares Purchased by Edmp Inc.

Edmp Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) by 2.7% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 26,448 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock after acquiring an additional 684 shares during the quarter. National Fuel Gas comprises approximately 1.5% of Edmp Inc.’s holdings, making the stock its 26th biggest holding. Edmp Inc.’s holdings in National Fuel Gas were worth $1,605,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of National Fuel Gas by 12.6% in the third quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 7,698 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $467,000 after buying an additional 859 shares during the period. Clear Creek Financial Management LLC purchased a new position in National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter worth approximately $238,000. Zacks Investment Management acquired a new stake in National Fuel Gas in the third quarter valued at approximately $957,000. Empowered Funds LLC purchased a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the third quarter valued at approximately $1,277,000. Finally, Vestcor Inc acquired a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas during the third quarter worth $716,000. 73.96% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently weighed in on NFG. Bank of America began coverage on shares of National Fuel Gas in a report on Monday, October 28th. They set an “underperform” rating and a $62.00 price target for the company. Argus raised National Fuel Gas to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. StockNews.com raised National Fuel Gas from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on National Fuel Gas from $65.00 to $64.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $69.00.

National Fuel Gas Stock Performance

Shares of NFG stock opened at $71.98 on Tuesday. 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 has a one year low of $46.35 and a one year high of $73.13. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $64.51 and its 200-day simple moving average is $61.86.

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, research analysts forecast that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 31st were paid a dividend of $0.515 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 31st. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.86%. National Fuel Gas’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -1,471.32%.

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.