Quantbot Technologies LP Increases Stock Holdings in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Quantbot Technologies LP increased its position in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) by 44.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 10,055 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock after buying an additional 3,083 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LP’s holdings in National Fuel Gas were worth $610,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of NFG. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter valued at $9,067,000. Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 2,584,155 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $156,807,000 after purchasing an additional 85,950 shares in the last quarter. Ibex Wealth Advisors bought a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas during the fourth quarter worth about $4,943,000. Barclays PLC lifted its position in shares of National Fuel Gas by 243.7% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 102,672 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $6,223,000 after purchasing an additional 72,802 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. grew its stake in National Fuel Gas by 33.3% in the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 220,869 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $13,386,000 after purchasing an additional 55,152 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.96% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have commented on the company. StockNews.com raised National Fuel Gas from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, March 13th. 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 issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, National Fuel Gas currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $74.67.

National Fuel Gas Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE NFG opened at $78.62 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $73.30 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $65.49. National Fuel Gas has a 52-week low of $51.46 and a 52-week high of $79.49. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.12 billion, a P/E ratio of -561.51 and a beta of 0.57.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 earnings per share (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 in the prior year, the business posted $1.46 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 31st will be given a dividend of $0.515 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 31st. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.62%. National Fuel Gas’s dividend payout ratio is currently -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.