Aull & Monroe Investment Management Corp Cuts Stake in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Aull & Monroe Investment Management Corp reduced its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) by 7.6% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 17,041 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock after selling 1,400 shares during the period. Aull & Monroe Investment Management Corp’s holdings in National Fuel Gas were worth $1,034,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter worth approximately $9,067,000. Proficio Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter worth approximately $862,000. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in National Fuel Gas by 3.4% during the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 2,584,155 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $156,807,000 after acquiring an additional 85,950 shares in the last quarter. Keybank National Association OH grew its holdings in National Fuel Gas by 2.0% during the 4th quarter. Keybank National Association OH now owns 55,361 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $3,359,000 after acquiring an additional 1,064 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC grew its holdings in National Fuel Gas by 165.8% during the 4th quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 9,618 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $584,000 after acquiring an additional 5,999 shares in the last quarter. 73.96% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

National Fuel Gas Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of NYSE:NFG opened at $74.89 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $6.78 billion, a P/E ratio of -534.88 and a beta of 0.57. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $68.45 and a 200 day moving average price of $63.51. 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 has a 1-year low of $49.90 and a 1-year high of $76.66.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 EPS for the quarter, topping 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 prior year, the company posted $1.46 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 EPS for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st were issued a $0.515 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 31st. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.75%. National Fuel Gas’s dividend payout ratio is presently -1,471.43%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded shares of National Fuel Gas from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered 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 report on Tuesday, November 12th. Finally, Argus upgraded shares of National Fuel Gas to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $69.00.

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.